Hotel Designs

Luxury hotel and vineyard, Steenberg, in South Africa’s Constantia region, has completed the final stage of a full-scale renovation and is ready to welcome UK holidaymakers in search of some winter sun.The renovation, which has taken place in stages over the past three years, includes the addition of a chic, modern, daytime restaurant, “Bistro Sixteen82”, and a hip new bar, “Gorgeous”.

Steenberg holds the distinction of being the oldest farm in the picturesque Constantia valley, with a history dating back to the first wine production in 1695. Steenberg’s winery has developed a worldwide reputation for producing excellent Cape wines. Wines were first produced on the farm in 1695 – which was then named Swaaneweide (the feeding place of swans). It was later renamed Steenberg in honour of the imposing mountain which towers over it. The cultivars on the farm at the moment are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo, Merlot, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.

In November 2009, Steenberg unveiled a stylish, new, daytime restaurant on its winery called Bistro Sixteen82, after the year in which Steenberg was first established. With its striking, modern design, glorious vineyard setting, charming reflection pools and sensory gardens, Bistro Sixteen82 has become a favourite daytime eatery for guests and locals alike. The bistro-style cellar door restaurant and wine tasting venue has a warm and inviting ambience that embodies opulent chic. With menus featuring tapas, bistro-style cuisine and sumptuous breakfasts, BistroSixteen82 is an ideal venue for lunch or a long, lazy brunch and it seamlessly complements Steenberg’s popular fine dining restaurant, Catharina’s.

In August 2011, Steenberg completed the refurbishment of its five Premier Rooms. The refined Premier Rooms are vibrant, open-plan spaces, incorporating the latest neutral décor trends and featuring the latest mod-cons, such as iPod docking stations, and PC data and power outlets. Soft furnishing modifications have been made and contemporary touches added to enhance the uncluttered, spacious atmosphere with clean lines and unfussy fabrics. Sofas have been recovered in rich fabrics reflecting tones of grey and soft blues. New carpeting and curtains have been introduced in neutral oatmeal and shades of white perfectly complementing the trendy new lighting fixtures, culminating in a well balanced, serene space that makes optimum use of the natural environment, with French doors that open up onto a private terrace.

The new look Premier Rooms, beautifully complement the other accommodation styles on offer at Steenberg, which range from the cutting edge interior design of its three Heritage Suites (KhoiKhoi, Cape Colonial and Dutch East India suites), to the historical Manor House wing that offers a traditional, yet elegant choice as the only hotel in the country to offer guests accommodation in a National Monument.

Finally, 2012 has seen the completion of the multi-phase renovation with the opening of “Gorgeous by Graham Beck” the first brand-exclusive bubbly bar in South Africa. The bar derived its name from the favoured term of endearment of the late Mr Graham Beck. A full selection of Graham Beck Wines’ award winning Méthode Cap Classique can be enjoyed with sumptuous canapés. Guests may also opt to try a specific range; the three-wine non-vintage Graham Beck sparkling wines, the three vintage cuvées, or the iconic Cap Classique flagship, Cuvée Clive.

The 24-room, boutique hotel, which is just twenty minutes from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront and the city centre, also boasts a contemporary, fine dining restaurant, “Catharina’s” which offers spectacular views of False Bay & the Steenberg Mountains; a Ginkgo Spa; an 18-hole Championship golf course and, of course, the working winery.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. announced the grand opening of The Westin New York Grand Central on 12th October. The new hotel opens in the former New York Helmsley Hotel after the completion of a $75 million renovation. The brand’s second Manhattan hotel features a complete redesign of the hotel’s interior including 774 spacious guest rooms equipped with Westin’s signature amenities, more than 12,000 square feet of meeting space with the latest technology, a 3,000-square-foot WestinWORKOUT® fitness studio and the upcoming addition of THE LCL: Bar & Kitchen, NYC, the first bar and food concept from Gerber Group in a Westin property. Tonight, as part of the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) global music program On Tour with SPG: Hear the Music, See the World, Ben Folds Five will offer a private performance for SPG members. Eco-Friendly Guestrooms Give Heavenly Experience

Each of the 774, 300+ square-foot guestrooms, including 11 one-bedroom suites and one three-bedroom presidential suite, maintain the highest standards of environmental responsibility with the brand’s signature eco-friendly materials such as energy-conserving LED and CFL lights, water conserving low flow plumbing and recycle-able carpet pads, low VOC finishes for casegoods and GreenGuard certified solar shades. Each guestroom is also equipped with Westin’s luxurious amenities including the coveted Heavenly Bed. The revamped design scheme includes calming, tonal colours that create a soothing environment, allowing guests to leave feeling better than when they arrived.

Redefining the Traditional Hotel Lobby Bar and Hotel Restaurant

The renovation also extended the hotel’s lobby to 42nd street to include THE LCL: Bar & Kitchen, NYC, coming soon. Once open, THE LCL: Bar & Kitchen, NYC, will be the first bar and food concept in a Westin property from leading nightlife proprietor Gerber Group and will redefine the traditional hotel lobby bar and restaurant. Located on the ground floor of the hotel, THE LCL will offer an extensive selection of local small-batch spirits, regionally brewed craft beers, as well as, organic, sustainable and biodynamic wines. The signature and seasonal cocktail selections will feature house-made infusions and market fresh ingredients. THE LCL will also offer a kicked up comfort food menu from sunrise to well after sunset. The menu will feature locally sourced items such as Roasted Beets and Coach Farm Chevre Cheese Salad, LCL Flame Grilled LaFrieda Burger and Great New York Cheddar Cheese and Mac. In addition to locally sourced food, THE LCL will also serve Stumptown Coffee, Organic Avenue juices and fresh grab-and-go options in the morning for guests on the move.

State-of-the-Art Meeting Space

Conveniently located in the Midtown East neighbourhood, the hotel is positioned to become a business epicentre. With more than 12,000 square feet of renovated meeting and event space, including four new break-out rooms and an expanded 4,100 square-foot ballroom with sweeping city views, the hotel is an ideal host for everything from intimate business affairs to large-scale corporate meetings accommodating up to 450 guests. In addition, all rooms have new carpeting and lighting, while preserving some of the hotel’s historic elements including wood panelling and New York photography from the hotel’s original decoration.

As part of the overhaul, all event spaces are now equipped with teleconferencing capabilities, fibre optics and some of the highest bandwidth in Manhattan. The hotel’s history and close proximity to Grand Central is also reflected in the meeting room names, which include a space entitled “Track 61,” the name of the mysterious once-secret train platform located in Grand Central Terminal.

Source: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Holiday Inn has added a Pearly King to its ever growing number of hotels, with the launch of a new hotel in Whitechapel, in the East End of London. Holiday Inn London Commercial Road has been a significant investment for the hotel chain, with the £15m development boasting 133 standard and executive rooms for tourists and business travellers alike. Uniquely positioned between the hustle and bustle of London’s West End and the financial districts of Canary Wharf, the hotel provides visitors to London with a value for money option against the competition.Since its unveiling in July 2012, Holiday Inn London Commercial Road has opened its doors to the many guests visiting the capital for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games – bringing new jobs and revenue to what was once one of the more deprived areas of London. Now going through a massive regeneration programme, Whitechapel is fast seeing a change in pace and look for its busy streets.

James Doyle, General Manager Holiday Inn London Commercial Road, said: “This new hotel is an important move not only for Holiday Inn, but for the Whitechapel area. Given its perfect positioning within Zone 2, guests to the hotel can still enjoy the closeness of central London without paying West End prices. All of our rooms are modelled on Holiday Inn’s new concept style, giving guests a modern and luxurious stay, all with Holiday Inn’s trademark personal service, comfort and value. The windows are also triple glazed, which means that you can come back and shut the city out for a peaceful night’s sleep. We’ve had a great reaction from guests so far, and look forward to welcoming even more guests in the future.”

Business guests are able to take advantage of the Academy Conference & Training facilities on offer, including boardrooms and meeting spaces, plus the new ‘Simply Uplifting’ menus packed with energy boosting goodness to lift everyone’s sprits and make any meeting a success.

There’s free Wi-Fi for all guests, whether they’re staying for business, leisure or just enjoying a cup of coffee in the Traders Bar & Lounge, which serves Starbucks teas and coffees.

The new hotel also features a mini gym for guests to stay in tip top health whilst away from home. Or they can relax and enjoy dinner or drinks in the hotel’s contemporary bar or restaurant.

The Best of British menu is ever-changing and offers delicious seasonal dishes so even the most frequent of visitors will enjoy fresh dining options.

Hilton Worldwide announced the opening of the new-build 103-room Hilton Garden Inn Tucuman, the brand’s first hotel in Argentina. The company also announced the official appointment of Agustin Maddocks, former rooms division manager at Hilton Buenos Aires, as general manager of the upscale Hilton Garden Inn Tucuman in Northern Argentina.Known as The Garden of the Republic due to its vast natural beauty, Tucuman is less than a two hour flight from Argentina’s capital city of Buenos Aires and the Hilton Garden Inn Tucuman is approximately 25 minutes from the international airport.

The Hilton Garden Inn Tucuman features 103 guest rooms, all decorated with local culture and history in mind. Each room features unique decorative pots, specially designed by artisans from Calchaquies Valley, as well as original prints with themes depicting the different indigenous groups of the area. Rooms also offer calming and comfortable bedding, LCD high-definition Smart TV, easy-to-set alarm clock with MP3 connectivity, a spacious work desk, and a “hospitality centre” that features a mini refrigerator and coffee maker.

Before heading to their rooms, guests are welcomed to a lobby featuring a Green Wall made of expired Palo Santo trees, native to Northern Argentina. In an effort to protect the region’s natural resources, no live trees were used when creating the decorative wall that invites nature into the interior of this new Hilton Garden Inn hotel in Tucuman.

Dining options include a contemporary full service restaurant overlooking the pool and offering freshly prepared breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hotel also features a bar and the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® shop with a selection of delicious readymade meals, beverages and snacks.

Recreational facilities boast an outdoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, solarium, and a complimentary fitness centre and spa facilities featuring cardio and strength training equipment and large locker rooms, as well as a dry sauna and indoor Jacuzzi. Guests can also enjoy Central Tucumano, the restored complex featuring a convention centre, shopping, dining, cultural attractions, theatre and access to the historic Mercado de Abasto market.

Travellers to the Hilton Garden Inn Tucuman also have access to more than 8,500 square feet of meeting space, including a more than 4,000 square foot ballroom with capacity for 400, and signature Hilton Garden Inn brand attributes such as complimentary Wi-Fi and a 24-hour business centre.

The Luxury Collection, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has recently unveiled The Royal Begonia, A Luxury Collection Resort, celebrating the brand’s eagerly anticipated arrival in Sanya. Located on the southern tropical island of Hainan, The Royal Begonia joins the legendary Astor Hotel in Tianjin and The Hongta Hotel in Shanghai as the first Luxury Collection resort in China. With this opening, The Luxury Collection brand continues its growth momentum globally with the debut of ten hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific this year alone, including Shanghai, Jaipur and Chennai in India, the Blue Mountains, Australia as well as Koh Samui, Thailand and Jakarta, Indonesia.Occupying an idyllic 370-metre beachfront location on Haitang Bay, The Royal Begonia features 142 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and 18 private villas nestled on the sparkling ivory beaches of the south-eastern coast of Hainan Island. The resort overlooks the sapphire South China Sea with to the north, majestic mountains and verdant rainforests, setting an indelible scene. Guest rooms are a stylish blend of European elegance and local inspiration with natural and soft color palettes, custom-designed furniture, and sophisticated interiors to create a sense of relaxed opulence.

The hotel’s Abel TOUCH Spa is a serene oasis of relaxation that exudes refinement and local character, with 21 treatment rooms for pampering and well-being, using natural herbal beauty products, acupressure, and indigenous treatments made from tropical fruits. The Royal Begonia offers an incredible variety of culinary experiences including The Begonia, the signature restaurant offering all-day dining with creative Italian-Californian cuisine; the elegant Spanish-themed Buganvillas Lobby Bar which showcases an exquisite wine selection and creative cocktails; as well as Bayview Lounge, featuring the finest cognac, wines, and cigars with sweeping sea views.

Situated about 35 kilometers from the main international airport in Sanya, The Royal Begonia is conveniently located in one of Hainan’s two main cities. Hainan offers visitors white sand beaches, verdant mountains, and rugged coastlines framing the South China Sea. It has long been home to the Li and Miao minorities, who continue to live and thrive on the island.

The Royal Begonia is owned by Long-Island Travel Industry Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of China Sigma Co., Ltd.

Source: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

London tops this year’s European hotel investment league, as single asset transactions along with the sale of hotel development sites in the UK’s capital have boosted what is otherwise a depressed hotel investment market.Overall, however, the scarcity of debt and economic uncertainty will continue to dampen investment until at least the end of 2012, says hotel consultancy HVS.

The company’s latest hotel transaction figures, released to coincide with this week’s Hotel Investment Conference Europe in London, show that investment in both single assets and hotel portfolios during 2012 has been significantly down on 2011 levels as difficult trading and a severe lack of quality hotel stock has deterred investors.

“Trading has been difficult in recent months for many European markets, even Paris and London have experienced a slowdown,” said Tim Smith, Director, HVS London.

The first eight months of 2012 saw hotel investment activity in Europe total around €3.5 billion (£2.8 billion), a 16% decline on the same period in 2011.

Some 46 hotels (around 9,500 rooms) each more than €7.5 million (£6 million) were sold, 28% below the same period in 2011 when 59 qualifying transactions took place. Total single asset investment volume reached €2.1 billion (£1.68 billion) in the first eight months of 2012, a 10% decline on 2011. The average sale price per room was €215,000 (£172,000) compared with €251,000 (£208,000) in 2011.

As in 2011, the majority of investment has been based in the UK, where volume reached more than €1 billion (£800 million), 46% of overall single asset investment volume. In London some 12 hotels changed hands including the four-star Cavendish London for just under €200 million (£160 million).

A number of hotel development sites have also been sold in London, including the InterContinental Westminster and Hilton Bankside. In addition, the Odeon Site in Leicester Square has been acquired by the Edwardian Group.

Investment in Germany also remains strong, accounting for 15% of total transaction volume. Several hotels have changed hands including the Courtyard Düsseldorf Seestern for €15.5 million (€70,100 per room) and the Suite Novotel Hamburg City for €18 million (€96,800 per room).

France has also been fairly active, accounting for 11% of total single asset investment volume. Significant transactions include the sale of the 617-room Pullman Paris Rive Gauche for €77 million (€124,800 per room) and the sale of the 60-room Hotel Lancaster for €61 million (€1 million per room).

A total of nine portfolio transactions, involving 29 hotels, have taken place in the first eight months of 2012, reaching a volume of €1.5 billion (£1.2 billion). This represents a 22% decrease compared with the same period in 2011.

Transactions this year have included the acquisition of six hotels from investment vehicle aAim by Principal Hayley for €238.1 million (£200 million). This was £75 million less than Principal Hayley sold the portfolio to aAim for during the property boom in 2006. Principal Hayley went on to sell these properties for £90m in a sale and leaseback agreement with Pramerica. Following this, the whole Principal Hayley portfolio, consisting of 22 hotels (3,700 rooms), has been placed on the market for £500 million.

In addition, PPHE Hotel Group acquired the remaining 50% interests in four hotels in the Netherlands from a subsidiary of Elbit Imaging for €26.5 million.

Invesco Real Estate has been active in Germany acquiring two separate portfolios. In April 2012 it acquired two recently opened InterContinental Hotel Group properties in Berlin from Azure Property Group for €60 million (€151,900 per room) and more recently two MGallery Hotels from Accor for a reported €44 million (€123,900 per room).

“Until debt becomes more readily available and trading significantly improves, it is difficult to estimate when the hotel investment market will improve but we hope to see transaction figures rising during 2013,” added Tim Smith.

This was the first Hospitality Industry World Congress, growing out of trends within existing exhibitions held in the FIRA Grand Via exhibition halls in Barcelona. I am invited to many trade shows, and all want HotelDesigns to advertise them to our audience of over 100,000 designer/specifier visitors every month. I am reluctant, and usually say no (although we add the shows to our comprehensive events calendar), and did so here until the organisers asked me to participate and present one of the awards. Acceptance however was last minute, as I drove away to catch the ferry to travel around Germany looking at hotels – another story to come!It is the first time there have been design awards from the HIWC, joining the plethora of awards spreading like measles spots across the global design industry. I am honoured to be asked to be one of the initial presenters, and it also gave me the opportunity to present HotelDesigns to some of the great and the good within the hotel industry. Included on the judging panel, for example, were luminaries such as Didier Boidin from Intercontinental Hotels, Michael Levie one of the founders of Citizen M hotels, and old friend Barbara Delollis of USA Today. Others came from Hilton, Green Hotels, and the UNWTO.

British representation in the trade show was small. Given that Barcelona itself is adding 500 bedrooms a year to its hotel stock apparently, this is a surprising absence. The show was dominated by Spanish companies and the main sponsor of the awards was Roca, who’s upmarket arm Laufen are represented in our Directory. The awards ceremony was actually held in Roca’s large central Barcelona showroom, which whilst of impressive size, was not nearly as stylish as the Zaha Hadid designed London showroom.

Marriott International, Inc has announced plans to open its tenth hotel in Turkey, the 110-room Renaissance Izmir Hotel, set to open in late 2012. Renaissance Hotels is the signature lifestyle brand within the Marriott International global portfolio. Recognized for its signature guest programmes including R Navigator and RLife LIVE, Renaissance Hotels currently has over 35 hotels throughout Europe.With a population of over three million, Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey after Istanbul and Ankara. Heralded as the “Pearl of the Aegean”, Izmir is located on Turkey’s west coast on the stunning Aegean sea. Izmir’s natural port is popular with not only tourists but also one of largest export-import hubs in Turkey.

Izmir’s fascinating 8,500-year history has earned the city international recognition as a site of historical and cultural importance. Izmir is home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the famed Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, as well as a myriad of Roman ruins, ancient churches, and lively bazaars located within the city and neighbouring towns.

The Renaissance Izmir Hotel will be located in the heart of downtown Izmir, just moments from the “Kordon”, the city’s famous sea front promenade lined with cafés and shops.

Housing the brand’s signature “R” Lounge, the hotel will bring the distinct look and feel of the Renaissance Hotels brand to the city while incorporating indigenous inspiration in every detail. The 110 sophisticated guestrooms will boast luxury bedding and the latest technologies, and an all-day dining restaurant boasting Mediterranean delights will be located on the rooftop offering sweeping views of Izmir Bay. Leisure facilities include a fitness centre, spa, and plunge pool while meeting and business needs are catered for with 2,130 square feet of meeting space set across three meeting rooms and a dedicated business centre.

One of the world’s most iconic literary locations hosted an official opening on Friday 28th September after a sensitive and spectacular refurbishment.

Browns Hotel, in Laugharne, Wales, is renowned as a favourite socializing haunt of poet Dylan Thomas.Now it has undergone more than a year of revamp work to become a jewel in the crown of Thomas tourism in his home country. It opened quietly on July 13 and has already attracted international guests from as far afield as America, Germany and Ireland.
The hotel has been busy too with guests from Wales and across the UK.

The grade II listed building has benefited from a £230,000 Welsh Government grant and a substantial investment by its West Wales-based owners. Heritage agency Cadw offered a grant of £62,500 towards structural repairs.

Browns Hotel general manager Charlie Dyer said: “The transformation has been astonishing. The décor and furnishings are a beautiful throwback to the late 1940s and early 1950s and guests are reacting really warmly to the whole package.

“Locals from Laugharne and the wider West Wales area enjoy popping in for a drink in the bar and for coffee in the Reading Room.

“Some tourists come specifically for our unbreakable link with Dylan Thomas; others come because they know we’re in a spectacular coastal area and seek a break from life’s hurly-burly.”

The official opening will feature appearances by local residents, businesses involved in the Browns revamp and ongoing success, local rugby region The Scarlets and Welsh whisky specialists Penderyn.

Having fallen into disrepair after 2006 when it last closed as a pub, Browns is now being modeled as a worthy focal point for West Wales tourism.

The refurbishment reflects the region’s colourful heritage, outlook and range of creativity. It’s now a boutique hotel with the bar as Dylan would recognize it. Each guest room is unique and there are areas for drinks, snacks and business meetings.

Charlie Dyer said: “Happily, the reopening comes in time for the national celebration of Dylan Thomas’s birth centenary – he was born in October 2014.”

Browns Hotel has lain empty and dilapidated for six years.
Built in the mid-1700s, it was a favourite location of Thomas in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He lived a short walk away with wife Caitlin and their three young children in their famous Boathouse but Swansea-born Thomas died in 1953.

Browns was last used as a hotel in 1959 and closed as a pub in 2006.

It forms part of the Dylan Thomas tourism trail in Laugharne as his mother’s family had run farms nearby and he had settled in the township with wife Caitlin in the late 1940s. Their shared grave is in a local churchyard.

Marriott International, Inc. expands its reach in the Middle East as it marks the grand opening of Residence Inn by Marriott Manama Juffair, Marriott’s largest extended stay brand within the Marriott International portfolio.Residence Inn by Marriott Manama Juffair in Bahrain is the first Residence Inn property in the Middle East. It is an 80-unit property located in suburban Manama, and is owned by International Trading and Investment Co. Marriott International has two other properties that are currently under construction in the region: an 83-unit Residence Inn by Marriott Jizan in Saudi Arabia and a 143-unit Residence Inn by Marriott Kuwait, scheduled to open in 2013 and 2015 respectively.

Commenting on the opening, Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director of Marriott International Middle East and Africa said, “Marriott International opened its first hotel in the Middle East and Africa 32 years ago and we have continued to invest in the region and build on its rich heritage to become one of the biggest hotel operators. Today we have 41 existing properties in 12 countries across seven lodging brands and a further 44 hotels under development which will more than double the number of hotels in the Middle East and Africa over the next five years. These figures are a measure of our commitment to the growth and development of the region’s tourism sector and its position as a leading global business hub.”

The Residence Inn by Marriott offers a mix of spacious, stylish and residential-feel studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites. A purposeful layout with designated zones allows guests to relax, work, eat, and sleep in their suites, while maintaining their routines at their own pace while travelling. Every suite features kitchens that come complete with full-sized refrigerators and stainless steel appliances that make living on the road easier for business travellers on long stays and families on leisure travel.

Worldhotels, one of the leading groups for independent hotels worldwide, welcomed a truly unique hotel to its portfolio on 1 October 2012 – the iconic ss Rotterdam, located in Rotterdam, Netherlands.Inaugurated in 1958 in Rotterdam with its maiden voyage taking place the following year, ss Rotterdam was the flagship of the Holland America Line fleet. Granted a prime permanent berth at Katendrecht in the heart of the city 50 years later, the fully-restored liner welcomed its first guests as a hotel in February 2010.

The ship now features 254 modern hotel rooms, designed to reflect its 1950s origins. Rooms accommodate up to four people with working desks, flat-screen TVs, internet access and air conditioning. Each room features a distinctive shape and colour scheme.

Diners can choose between the lively, all-day restaurant Lido and the elegant, stylish Club Room, while the Ocean Bar and the Terrace provide vibrant, social meeting spots. Fourteen different authentic banqueting rooms and 16 meeting rooms provide first-class facilities for events.

“Worldhotels offers 500 of the world’s most special independent hotels, and the ss Rotterdam is another fantastic first for us,” says Robert van der Beek, Worldhotels’ newly appointed Senior Director Hotel Development. “The ship holds an iconic position in the maritime tradition of the Netherlands, and in the last two years it has become an insider’s tip for travellers visiting Rotterdam for business or pleasure. This new hotel perfectly complements our existing hotels in the city, The Manhattan Hotel Rotterdam and the Bilderberg Parkhotel Rotterdam.”

“Worldhotels increases the visibility of our hotel and Rotterdam for the international business industry. Besides, Worldhotels is a company which perfectly fits our current mission and vision: we are telling a unique story, we offer a unique product and keep our own identity,” says Michaël ten Brink, Director of Hotel Operations, ss Rotterdam.

Menzies Hotels, one of the UK’s leading independent hotel groups has completed the final phase of the £2.2 million redevelopment project at the Menzies Welcombe Hotel, Spa and Golf Club in Stratford upon Avon.

From the contemporary standard garden wing bedrooms with power showers and room controlled air conditioning to the traditionally styled rooms in the main house rooms, including suites and four post bedrooms furnished with antiques, all 78 bedrooms have been redesigned to create a retreat from the outside world. The mod cons you would expect in a luxury hotel are also available; Apple iMac TV screens with SKY TV, Skype and internet access, as well as free Wi-Fi. The hotel’s feature suite, the Countess Suite offers views of the beautifully kept gardens, a spacious bedroom, luxurious bathroom with hand-painted murals on the walls with separate shower room and large lounge area.

The 2 AA rosette Trevelyan Restaurant, lounge and bar have all had a new look. From the roaring fireplaces in the lounge and bar, to the grand windows in the dining room over-looking the stunning Italian gardens.

Each of the eleven function suites have been updated, are fully air-conditioned and equipped with the latest audio visual equipment, providing an ideal venue for events of all sizes, from weddings to corporate training or team building events.

The Welcombe Suite, the largest of the function rooms can hold up to 200 guests or delegates with state of the art AV technology. The intimate Oak Room, ideal for private dining or business conferences has been traditionally decorated with luxurious furnishings, giving the space an air of grandeur and elegance. With extensive onsite parking and situated just five minutes from the M40, the hotel is easily accessible from both Birmingham and London making this an ideal venue for both leisure and business events.

Throughout 2012, Menzies Hotels will also be investing around £7 million into its portfolio with a variety of additional redevelopment projects.

Positioned at the northern tip of The Cotswolds, the Menzies Welcombe Hotel Spa & Golf Club in Stratford-upon-Avon stands in 157 acres of unspoilt grounds. Originally built in 1866, the Jacobean-style house is considered one of the finest country house hotels in the heart of England. Additional facilities include a championship 18-hole golf course; luxurious spa equipped an impressive indoor swimming pool, and treatment rooms; seven Spa apartments; tennis court and helipad.

Today, at the opening of the £10 million, new London Clapham Junction Travelodge hotel, the UK’s first budget hotelier announced that it is seeking to open a further three hotels within the Wandsworth area in response to the ‘Nappy Valley’ effect*. During the last 12 months, Travelodge hotels located in the South West district of London which includes Fulham and Battersea have experienced a new trend of consumers coming through their doors. In the past, the hotels were full of business travellers and tourists but now local residents are taking advantage of the low cost rooms and booking-in visiting grandparents and family members due to lack of space at home.

Tony O’Brien, Travelodge UK Development Director said: “Our Fulham and Battersea hotels enjoy enormous success right throughout the year, and the assumption was that this was primarily due to business customers as well as tourists.

“However, our hotel staff are now saying that over a third of customers tell them they are actually in London to visit their children and grandchildren.

“With so many young people in London, especially in Nappy Valley, starting their families whilst living in small flats and houses, the only option for Granny and Granddad to come and visit is to stay in a nearby hotel. It is a remarkable trend, but one that we are poised to capitalise on as part of our wider growth story in London.”

Just last month, Travelodge opened a 90-room hotel in Balham and the opening of its new 84-room Clapham Junction hotel today means that Travelodge has now added 174 affordable hotel rooms in Wandsworth this year, representing a £17.3 million investment for the area.

These hotel openings reinforce Travelodge’s position as the biggest budget hotel brand in London, with 54 hotels and over 7,000 rooms, representing a 4% share of the Capitals’ hotel market. However, the demand that Nappy Valley is creating means that there is room for further growth within the area, so the company is on the look out for at least another three further locations within the Wandsworth area; Battersea Old Town, Clapham Common and Clapham Old Town/Lavender Hill.

So far this year, Travelodge has opened 30 hotels, representing 2,670 rooms, throughout the UK – 11 of which are in London. Furthermore, the company will open a further eight hotels in the UK in the lead-up to Christmas. All together, this represents a total investment of more than £200m, with over 300 new jobs created in these hotels.

*Nappy Valley is a term applied to a specific area of Battersea, between Clapham Common and Wandsworth Common, South London with a “cafe culture” of middle-class, affluent families

MGM Grand, Las Vegas’ ultimate entertainment destination, has recently announced the completion of its $160 million room and suite remodel in the hotel’s main tower, marking a major milestone in the resort’s “Grand Renovation.”The remodel, which began in October 2011, includes 3,570 Grand King and Queen guest rooms and 642 suites of varying types including the stunning Skyline Terrace and Skyline Marquee Suites.

Created by the team at MGM Resorts International Design, the remodeled Grand King and Grand Queen guest rooms showcase a stylish combination of interior finishes and accents, creating a modern sensibility with an inviting ambiance. For guests seeking additional space for entertaining and relaxing, a variety of newly redesigned one and two-bedroom suites are available, several of which feature expansive outdoor terraces with sweeping views of the famed Las Vegas Strip.

In keeping with MGM Grand’s commitment to sustainability, the newly remodeled rooms and suites incorporate environmentally responsible elements including LED lighting; improved thermostats and solar shades to better manage temperature and guest comfort; upgraded faucets and showers; and bath amenities that are 100 percent biodegradable.

MGM Grand also recently announced the STAY WELL collection featuring 42 rooms and suites designed for guests looking to take their wellness lifestyle “on the road” when traveling. Each room will include more than a dozen features designed to enhance and improve the hotel experience from wake-up light therapy that reverses jetlag to shower water infused with Vitamin C to promote healthy hair and skin. The rooms are available for reservation now and will be ready for guests in late October.

MGM Grand’s evolution continues into 2013 with the highly anticipated opening of Hakkasan Las Vegas Restaurant and Nightclub, an upscale dining experience combined with multiple nightlife components from Angel Management Group, one of Las Vegas’ preeminent nightclub operators. Located where the iconic Studio 54 stood for 14 years, the venue will deliver an innovative concept evolving beyond Hakkasan’s original restaurant model, incorporating the best of dining and nightlife to create an unimaginable experience that will revolutionize the Las Vegas market. Hakkasan is scheduled to open spring 2013.

After the influx of visitors to the UK over the busy summer period, the rapid changeover of guests in hotels will have taken its toll on the beds. General wear and tear and staining are issues which UK hoteliers expect and are used to dealing with on a daily basis – and those which usually can be rectified quickly. However, a surge of guests can also leave more serious, damaging and lasting problems that unless dealt with immediately will only become worse – bed bugs.Available statistics online suggest that in the UK there is on average a 25% annual rise in reported bedbug infestations, so an increase in guests can only increase the chances of being left with a bed bug problem. Bed bugs are carried in visitor’s clothing and luggage – and mattresses are a classic breeding ground for them.

Bed bugs are not just an inconvenience; they will feed on your guests causing nasty reactions and painful rashes. Not only can bed bugs cause an uncomfortable night’s sleep for guests, their presence can fuel serious complaints, bad reviews, compensation claims and costly pest control. Research by Hypnos shows that hotel guests spend over 60% of their time in a hotel bedroom asleep during their stay meaning they are at a high risk of contact with bed bugs, so it is imperative that hoteliers do not ignore this issue and take the necessary steps to prevent – or eradicate – infestation.

It cannot be stressed enough how important protection against bed bugs is for hotel owners now the busy summer period is over, in preserving their reputations. Recently, a high profile hotel chain in the USA was successfully sued for $382,000 by guests who had been bitten; and entomology studies suggest that Australian tourism has lost $108million a year due to bed bug infestations.

There is now a way to rid your hotels of bed bugs without the expense of having to invest in brand new beds. Vital Protection™ – a revolutionary fabric treatment for mattresses, toppers and mattress renovators, has been designed by Hypnos and HHL to provide long lasting protection against bed bugs for hotel guests. Vital Protection™ is a fabric impregnation treatment which has been independently scientifically proven to effectively repel and instantly kill bed bugs, as well as dust mites and other bacteria.

Vital Protection™ can not only be added to all new beds and mattresses, but also be used on existing beds, by applying a zipped mattress renovator which encases the whole of the mattress. The treatment cannot be washed off and is completely invisible and odourless, having no negative impact on the fabric’s fire retardancy properties.

The time for hoteliers to check they are bed-bug free and act is now, in order to avoid any complaints or bad publicity and most importantly – to ensure that your guests have a night’s sleep to remember, for all the right reasons.

For more information on Vital Protection™, please visit www.hypnoscontractbeds.com or call 0115 973 2180.

Morgans Hotel Group announces the opening of its newest international property, Delano Marrakech. From the shores of South Beach to the African continent, the much-anticipated Delano Marrakech exudes the mystery and exoticism of its surroundings, while offering the style, sophistication and unmatched standards of service that world travellers have come to expect from the Delano brand. In partnership with Moroccan entrepreneur Ahmed Bennani’s Hivernage Collection and Marbella Club (MC) Hotel Group, the 71-room boutique hotel is the ultimate haven of discovery and pleasure. Boasting four culinary destinations, a world-class spa, three pools, luxury boutiques and a dynamic nightlife venue, Delano Marrakech is a self-contained luxury resort in the heart of one of the world’s most magical destinations. Located in the centre of the Hivernage District, Delano Marrakech is Morgans Hotel Group’s second global outpost of its signature luxury brand.

Designed by the acclaimed Jacques Garcia in collaboration with Morgans Hotel Group’s design team, the hotel’s opulent interior blends precious marbles with sumptuous velvet and other rare textiles, creating an intimate atmosphere with a modern edge. A breathtaking central rotunda commands the lobby space, with bold white columns soaring overhead. The unique ceiling made of hand-carved wood, gives way to an airy skylight that drenches the lobby with light.

The 71 guest rooms, comprised of 27 luxurious suites and 44 stately guest rooms, feature king sized beds with Delano’s signature crisp white linens, headboards painted by renowned local artist Noureddine Daifallah, and traditional Moroccan lighting. iPads will be available in every room, allowing guests to order room service or browse hotel amenities at the touch of a screen. Bathrooms exclusively feature MALIN+GOETZ signature bath products including Bergamot Body Wash, Vitamin b5 Body Moisturize and Rum Bar Soap.

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Accor announces the opening of Novotel Hua Hin Cha Am Beach Resort and Spa, a 243-room resort located on a prime beachfront between Hua Hin and Cha Am, Thailand’s favourite seaside destinations, just a 2½-hour drive from Bangkok.The resort is well-designed and translates well the Novotel standard, which promises to provide modern living spaces for leisure and business travellers alike, with full relaxation experiences guaranteed. Each modern and spacious guest room offers a balcony with stunning sea views of the Gulf of Thailand and features the latest technologies for convenience and entertainment, including a flat screen TV, a full range of room and bathroom amenities, and free Wi-Fi internet access.

To accommodate the meetings market, the hotel’s meeting facilities include a 576-sqm ballroom, which can hold up to 400 persons, and ten well-equipped function rooms for small to medium meetings/functions. All venues are furnished with innovative audio and visual systems, with experienced technical support teams on-hand to ensure that every function is a successful one.

The resort has four food and beverage outlets where guests can indulge themselves. Guests can start the day off with a sumptuous breakfast buffet with an ocean view at Horizon Café, or enjoy a great a la carte breakfast with a romantic and serene atmosphere at L’Ocean Terrace Restaurant. For lunch and dinner, L’Ocean Terrace serves seafood, BBQ dishes, pizzas freshly baked from the wood oven, and favourite Thai dishes. There are also two bars: Havana Lounge serving cocktails and snacks and the Pool Bar where all family members can enjoy light snacks and a variety of beverages.

For leisure activities, the hotel has designated colourful children’s play areas, including the beachfront outdoor swimming pool with waterslide, The tropical gardens are perfect for morning or evening strolls, and the Kids’ Club can entertain youngsters while parents pamper themselves at the internationally-known Pevonia Spa for treatments, massages and rejuvenation, or work out at the adjoining fitness centre.

Situated between Cha Am and Hua Hin, Novotel Hua Hin Cha Am Beach Resort and Spa is just a 2½-hour drive from Bangkok and a mere 10-15 minutes from both Hua Hin Airport and Hua Hin Night Market.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort, its first all-inclusive resort in Mexico. Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort features 259 luxury rooms and suites and is owned and managed by Grupo Hotelero Santa Fe.Ideally situated in the hotel zone, just minutes away from the international airport and the famous Malecon area, this contemporary all-inclusive resort features elegant architectural design and breathtaking views of the mountains and the Banderas Bay.

Four a la carte dining options are available at the resort: Sea Fire, “extraordinary buffet specializing in international cuisine. La Catrina, offering Fine Mexican cuisine in a traditional ambiance. Le Délice, haute French cuisine. O’West, featuring martinis, tapas and spectacular views of the bay. Fogo, a Brazilian churrascaria. La Bonita, a deli-style eatery with specialty coffee, tea and pastries. In addition, “The Beach” offers cocktails and light snacks.

Guests seeking recreational options can choose to exercise in the hotel’s Hilton Fitness gym, pamper themselves with a flotarium experience in “KI” Spa, refresh in the spectacular courtyard swimming pools, or unwind with a nice cocktail at the Rhythms music lounge, while learning a few steps of salsa. For children, the resort´s kid´s club offers a playground, arts and crafts, interactive games and even camping tents.

Business travellers and locals will find 10,410 square feet of function space at the resort, including seven flexible meeting rooms. Modern AV equipment, a business center and creative catering services make Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort a great destination for meetings and events.

Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort is located in Av. de las Garzas s/n, Zona Hotelera Norte, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco 48300 Mexico.

Travelodge (the Company), the UK’s leading budget hotel company, is pleased to announce today that it has successfully completed its financial restructuring. Under the terms of the financing agreement with its three key investors, GoldenTree Asset Management, Avenue Capital Group and Goldman Sachs:

• £75m of new money has been injected into the Company
• £55m will be invested into a major refurbishment programme across the estate covering over 11,000 rooms and 175 hotels. The refurbishment programme will commence in early 2013 and continue through to summer 2014
• Bank debt of £235m has been written off and £71m repaid, reducing total bank debt from £635m to £329m
• Repayment date of the remaining debt extended to 2017 and cash pay interest reduced significantly to a rate of 0.25% above LIBOR through to the end of 2014

Commenting on today’s announcement, Grant Hearn, CEO of Travelodge, said:
“[Following the successful completion of the CVA process,] the financial restructuring completed today will provide further stability to the business. It demonstrates our investors’ confidence in the Company and I believe we have now secured the long-term future of the business.”

DoubleTree by Hilton has announced the opening of a newly renovated, upscale, full-service hotel situated on Boston’s prestigious North Shore. With its easy proximity to Boston’s historic and cultural center, the 364-room DoubleTree by Hilton Boston North Shore is an ideal location for both business and leisure visits to the Boston area. The hotel, formerly the CoCo Key Water Resort Boston, is owned by The Lightstone Group and operated by Sage Hospitality.Renovations to the DoubleTree by Hilton Boston North Shore included all guest rooms and public spaces, including the hotel’s lobby and more than 30,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel’s meeting facilities include a 10,000 square foot ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,300 guests for elegant business and social events. Additional upgrades include the addition of an executive lounge and 50MB fiber optic high-speed internet service that is a complimentary offering.

The tastefully appointed guest rooms at DoubleTree by Hilton Boston North Shore feature bright contemporary décor and furnishings, as well as modern comforts and conveniences suited to today’s business and leisure travellers, including granite bathrooms; mini fridge; complimentary wireless high-speed internet access (also in public areas); spacious work desks with ergonomic chairs; 32-inch, high-definition LCD TVs with XFinity fiber optics; MP3-compatible alarm clocks; plush bedding and combed cotton linens. Wolfgang Puck in-room gourmet coffee and tea service and Crabtree & Evelyn Citron bath and body products complete the generous amenity package. Guests staying in the seventh and eighth floor executive rooms enjoy complimentary midweek access to the Executive Lounge where the newspapers and signature Wake Up DoubleTree Breakfast, featuring hot entrees and healthy options to start the day off right, are available. Executive rooms also feature large walk-in showers and a wide array of upgraded amenities.

The hotel also has a 24-hour self-service business centre and complimentary printing service that includes “print-from-your room” convenience.

Guests who wish to keep up with their workout programme while travelling at the DoubleTree by Hilton Boston North Shore can take advantage of the Atlantis Sport Club, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, full-service spa and swimming pool, and holidaymakers are sure to enjoy the hotel’s 65,000 square foot indoor water park, CoCo Key.

The hotel’s Tradewinds Restaurant serves contemporary American cuisine using locally-sourced, seasonal foods and fresh seafood in a warm and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. At the end of a busy day, guests can unwind with a fine selection of refreshing cocktails and snacks in the hotel’s lounge, Tradewinds Lounge, or tropical drinks in the Wet Rooster Bar. Room service also is available during peak dining hours, and Starbucks coffee is available in the hotel lobby.

The DoubleTree by Hilton is located at 50 Ferncroft Road, Danvers, Mass., near Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS), minutes away from the Beverly (Mass.) Municipal Airport and an hour away from Manchester (N.H.) International Airport.

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) proudly unveiled Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha at The St. Regis Doha on October 4th 2012, with opening performances by the Wynton Marsalis Quintet,
featuring members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. The debut of Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha marks the first in a series of jazz clubs that St. Regis and JALC aim to create together as part of a unique global partnership announced last year. The opening of Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha coincides with the opening of The St. Regis Doha earlier this year, further solidifying Qatar as an emerging centre of culture, commerce and leisure in the Middle East.The Wynton Marsalis Quintet will be the first of many renowned artists scheduled to perform at Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha. The programming will be led by Wynton Marsalis, Managing and Artistic Director of JALC, and will provide St. Regis guests and the local community a chance to enjoy the music genre in a new, exhilarating destination. Featuring live performances six nights a week with a menu inspired by the musical genre, Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha offers spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf in an intimate setting. The 4,500 square foot jazz club, with acoustics and sound system designed by SIA Acoustics, will seat up to 100 guests in a theatrical ambience that recalls a legendary jazz venue of the golden era.

The opening of The St. Regis Doha marks the brand’s first hotel in Qatar, ideally located within Doha’s newest waterfront destination at Al Gassar Resort between the city’s cultural heritage sites and its emerging commercial hub. The hotel’s distinctive architecture showcases a contemporary design fused with traditional Arabic touches, an impressive addition to the city’s skyline with two 14-story beachfront towers offering 336 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, including 70 elegant suites and two presidential suites.

The St. Regis Doha features 10 restaurants and lounges, including Opal by Gordon Ramsay as well as Hakkasan, which brings authentic yet contemporary Cantonese cuisine to Doha. The hotel features 16,000 square meters of luxury leisure facilities including an Olympic size swimming pool, a private beachfront, 10 luxury pool-side cabanas, the first Remède Spa in the Middle East, a fitness centre and extensive meeting space.

Source: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

MGallery, Accor’s Collection of distinctive boutique hotels, has added one of Australia’s most historic hotels – the 4½ star Harbour Rocks Hotel in Sydney – to its rapidly growing network.Sydney’s Harbour Rocks Hotel – whose origins date back to the 1880s – has joined Accor’s prestigious MGallery Collection following the completion of a total redesign and refurbishment.

The hotel is the fourth MGallery in Australia, joining The Grand Hotel and Hotel Como in Melbourne and the Fairmont Resort in the NSW Blue Mountains. A fifth, Melbourne’s Hotel Lindrum, will join the brand in December. The MGallery Collection is made up of a group of highly individual and distinctive hotels, each one remarkable for its identity. The hotels in the collection have a striking personality and a special story to tell which guests experience through the hotel’s unique features and characteristics.

The 59-room Harbour Rocks Hotel is located in the heart of Sydney’s historic Rocks district, close to the harbour-front and only a short walk to the city’s central business district. It makes the hotel an ideal base for both leisure and corporate travellers.

Built in 1887 and opened as a hotel in 1989, Harbour Rocks Hotel sits on the grounds of Sydney’s first hospital and has been stripped back to its foundations, exposing its original sandstone and brick walls and its former working cottages. After an extensive renovation programme, the finished result is a striking fusion of raw elegance which blends old and new, featuring European touches throughout.

While satisfying the needs of modern day travellers, many aspects of the hotel reflect the building’s rich heritage, particularly the reverence for the hotel’s resident ghost, Eric.

As the legend goes, Eric was a patron of the premises in the late 1800s and was in love with Scarlett, the Madame of the house. After both declaring their love for one another, Eric had to leave on a three-month voyage overseas, but promised to marry Scarlett upon his return. However, by the time he arrived in Sydney, Scarlett had died of tuberculosis. A heartbroken Eric passed away not long after and to this day, it is said Eric’s spirit lingers in the corridors of the hotel as he longs for his Scarlett. In homage to the tragic lovers the hotel’s bar is named Eric’s and the restaurant is named Scarlett.

One of MGallery signatures is to bring the hotel’s story to life. From the moment a guest walks into the hotel to the experience they have while in its surrounds, guests are immersed in the Harbour Rocks Hotel’s story, For instance, Scarlett restaurant is where guests can experience a Harbour Rocks Pie, a play on a dish settlers enjoyed in the early days of the Sydney colony. On the breakfast menu, freshly made damper rolls are available, which again relate to the hotel’s historical past.

TravelClick, the leading hotel market intelligence provider, looks back at London’s incredible summer of sport to see the impact it had on incoming tourism and how the hoteliers fared.The Olympic period (27 July – 12 August 2012) saw an increase of 62.7% in revenue for London hoteliers in comparison to the same period last year. Overall the average daily rate (ADR) during the Olympics showed an increase of 55.2%, with room rates up an average of more than £60 compared with 2011.

London played host to history’s most successful Paralympic Games and the period (29 August – 9 September 2012) reflected this with an ADR rise of just 1.3% from the same time period last year and a revenue increase of 5.7% year on year.

Jan Tissera, international president, TravelClick, commented:

“London hoteliers had a very successful Olympic Games period, however, the Paralympic Games always takes a smaller stage than its predecessor. Hoteliers were right to be cautious about not pricing rooms too high for the period in order to fully capitalise on the event . They can now look forward to the legacy of the Games hopefully drawing in more tourism to London.”

Africa now ranks among the fastest growing economic regions in the world, according to a recent report (June 2011) by the McKinsey Global Institute. The hotel sector reflects this exciting trend with established and international brands and developers entering the marketplace and developing their opportunities with long term growth prospects, including: Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International and The Rezidor Hotel Group. Recent construction pipelines indicate that there are over 190 planned hotel projects in planning and development, with combined guestrooms totally over 37,000, the most popular locations are Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa. The continent’s real GDP rose by an average of nearly 5% per annum over the last decade and with the collective GDP of $1.6. Trillion (in 2008) is now roughly equal to Brazil or Russia, reflecting the flourishing growth in sectors including: telecoms, banking, retail and construction with impressive increasing foreign investment.

Examples of recent planned hotel developments and openings include:
• Hotel operator Monte-Carlo SBM has teamed up with developer Aerium Atlas Management (part of the Aerium Group) to develop a 34.5 acre site in the Menara district of Marrakech: the £120m Jawhar Resort, Spa and Private Residences.
• Rocco Forte Collection is launching a new five-star 90 all suite room hotel, golf and spa resort – the Assoufid Resort in Marrakesh, with the North Africa Holding Company. Rocco Forte will also be managing the 275-room Shepheard Hotel in Cairo with The Egyptian General Company for Tourism and Hotels (EGOTH) to launch in 2013.
• Jumeirah Group is developing the Jumeirah Gamsha Bay Resort in Egypt, a luxury 250 room hotel on the mixed-use development of Palm Gamsha.
• Sofitel Luxuy Hotels will open its second location in Equatorial Guinea, on Bioko Island in Africa, the Sofitel Malabo Sipopo Le Golf – featuring 200 luxurious rooms.
• The Rezidor Hotel Group has recently announced the planning of its 7th hotel in Nigeria, The Park Inn Lagos, Apapa featuring 125 rooms and set to open in 2013. Rezidor has the largest pipeline in Sub-Saharan Africa with new openings planned in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Zambia, Rwanda and Mozambique.
• Taj Hotels is set to launch the Taj Palace Marrakesh, later this year, following on from the successful opening of the Taj Cape Town in 2010.
• Sol Melia is set to open a new hotel on the island of Zanzibar in Tanzania, the Melia Zanzibar – a 5 star holiday resort and following the inauguration of its first hotel in Cabo Verde. The company has 6 hotels on the African continent, with 4 in Egypt.

Providing a unique insight and overview into the opportunities available, Bench Events is organising the inaugural Hotel Investment Conference in Africa (HICA) taking place in Casablanca (26th and 27th of September) and already attracting delegates from around the world interested in benefiting from the networking opportunities, a programme of seminars and sessions with a list of influential speakers which will educate potential investors and developers and raise awareness to optimise the opportunity of sustainable development of the hospitality industry on the African continent.

As further outlined in the McKinsey report, the rate of return on foreign investment in Africa is higher than in any other developing market (from $9 billion in 2000 to $62 billion in 2008) and providing early entry adopters the chance to develop their own markets and establish brand presence and profile whilst shaping the future economic climate and promoting new levels of tourism (both domestic and international).

The World Travel Organisation has recently forecast that in-bound tourism (to Africa) will increase over 50% from 2010 to 2020 while Africa’s combined consumer spending is now $860 billion and set to continue to grow. A recent Financial Times article (published following the World Economic Forum 2011 in Africa) reported that more than 10 African economies are forecast (by the African Development Bank) to grow at more than 7 per cent this year. Finance experts use the returns achieved by the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) as a good guide to what is possible. From 2000 to March 2010, the IFC saw a return of almost 22 per cent a year on its African private equity portfolio, higher than for any other emerging markets region – a trend experienced by many of the large investment funds.

NH Hoteles has taken over the Mövenpick Hotel Prague as of October 1 under a management agreement, 2012 expanding its presence in the Czech Republic. With panoramic views over the Czech capital, and close to the city and the airport, the four star property has 439 stylish bedrooms and 13 conference rooms accommodating up to 300 people.With a unique design comprising two buildings connected by a ‘Lanovka’ inclined lift, NH Prague is ideally located for meetings and conferences in the city centre as the hotel is minutes from the underground and tram station as well as being close to the airport.

The hotel’s 13 conference rooms all have natural daylight, along with cutting edge conference and event technology. There is also a business centre with full secretarial services.

Alan Jaramillo, Director of MICE Sales in the UK, comments: “We are delighted to add NH Prague to our extensive portfolio of over 2,300 conference rooms. The hotel’s location and facilities make it ideal for meeting planners looking for venues in Central Europe, along with the added bonus of its spectacular views over the picturesque Czech capital.”

The hotel has two restaurants. The Italian “Il Giardino” offers a breathtaking panorama from its garden terrace, while wellness and fitness fans will enjoy the hotel’s sauna and steam bath as well the jogging path in the nearby Mrazovka Park, tennis courts and a beach volleyball court.

Marriott International, Inc. has said that it has completed the transaction announced on May 31 with Gaylord Entertainment Company, now Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc., to acquire the Gaylord brand and hotel management company for $210 million. Gaylord Entertainment’s shareholders approved that company’s transition to a real estate investment trust on September 25, and Gaylord Entertainment merged with Ryman Hospitality Properties and assumed that name today. Ryman will continue to own the existing four Gaylord hotels and Marriott will manage the properties under long-term agreements.

In addition, Marriott will also manage three Nashville attractions, effective 1st October: the General Jackson Showboat, Gaylord Springs Golf Links, and Wildhorse Saloon. On December 1, Marriott will assume management of the Radisson Hotel Opryland, which will then be renamed The Inn at Opryland, a Gaylord Hotel. Ryman will also continue to own these properties. The transaction adds five hotels and approximately 8,100 rooms to the Marriott International portfolio.

Gaylord Hotels are uniquely positioned in the group and family leisure segments with approximately 2 million square feet of meeting and event space. They offer multiple opportunities for recreation, shopping, and dining, as well as entertainment, such as their partnership with DreamWorks™.

Arne Sorenson, Marriott International president and chief executive officer, said, “Our partnership with the Gaylord organization has been exceptional. Both the Gaylord and Marriott transition teams have worked closely together with much skill and dedication to be ready for this exciting day. Gaylord’s proven success in the meetings and family leisure markets, and their “all-in-one-place” properties will greatly enhance our portfolio and will provide new opportunities both for Gaylord associates, called STARS, and Marriott associates. We are delighted to welcome our new Gaylord portfolio and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Ryman Hospitality Properties.”

“We are thrilled that this transaction is now complete and to be part of Marriott’s industry leading network of hotels,” said Colin V. Reed, Ryman Properties chairman and chief executive officer. “We chose to work with Marriott because they share our commitment to building a strong employee culture and delivering a superior customer experience.”

Stoneleigh Park is the first exhibition and conference venue in the UK to have installed a revolutionary hotel concept which opened its doors on 1st October.

Stoneleigh Park has more than doubled its number of bedrooms from 58 to 138, meaning event organisers and visitors can easily stay on-site to be at the heart of their event.Called Snoozebox, this transportable modular accommodation offers comfortable and secure bedrooms, along with everything you would expect from a conventional hotel, such as reception services, daily housekeeping and a 24-hour duty manager. The rooms are fitted out to a high standard with modern fixtures and a stylish décor. Sound and heat insulation provides comfort and privacy, and each room has its own thermostatic controls including air conditioning. The rooms include a double bed together with a single bed, flat screen TV, Wi-Fi and a safe. The en-suite wet room comprises a power shower, toilet and wash basin.

Although Snoozebox units have previously been used to support specific events, such as the British Grand Prix and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, Stoneleigh Park leads the way in the industry by installing the solution for multiple events.

With a busy calendar of public and trade exhibitions attracting up to 25,000 visitors per event, plus conferences for up to 2,000 delegates at any one time, Stoneleigh Park understands how important and convenient it is for organisers to be on site. The fresh, comfortable, quirky Snoozebox will allow organisers and visitors alike to park for free outside the door of the hotel with absolutely everything they need within easy walking distance.

Ian Pegler, chief executive of Stoneleigh Park, commented: “We have a reputation for being an extremely versatile venue, and with so much indoor and outdoor space we can often do what other venues can’t. When we were increasingly finding our existing on-site hotel accommodation fully booked, Snoozebox provided an ideal flexible and immediate solution to the growing demand. We are thrilled with the high spec accommodation and are sure our event organisers and visitors will be too. Indeed, as well as catering for existing clients, hopefully it will now attract more organisers to consider Stoneleigh Park for their events.”

The Hotel was constructed over two days and is situated next to Stoneleigh Park’s existing 4-star guest hotel.

Robert Breare, CEO at Snoozebox, added: “We are delighted to have installed the first ever Snoozebox at an exhibition and conference venue. Stoneleigh Park has shown itself to be forward thinking and responsive, turning to us for a quick, flexible but high quality solution to a growing demand from event organisers. The accommodation is of a 4-star specification and provides a comfortable, secure base for event visitors with all the mod cons. Set in the vast and beautiful grounds at Stoneleigh Park, we are sure that people will enjoy staying there.”

Wimberly Interiors has recently unveiled the interior design of the Bentley Suite at The St. Regis New York. The signature suite represents a one-of-a-kind collaboration with the masterful minds at St. Regis Hotels & Resorts and Bentley Motors.“The exhilarating suite is both sleek and refined, reflecting Bentley’s debonair aesthetic and progressive vision within the Beaux Arts architecture of the St. Regis New York,” explained Liana Hawes, creative director at Wimberly Interiors. “The suite features a seductive and sophisticated slate of neutral colours including ivory, charcoal grey and black, punctuated with exquisite soft Bentley leather, highly polished wood and chrome details that evoke the interiors of a racing car.”

The Bentley Suite is located on the 15th floor of the iconic Manhattan landmark. Upon entering the expansive 1,700 square foot suite through a set of double doors, guests are greeted by the defining characteristics of the luxury automobile brand: a blend of cream and neutral tones, set against the rich wood finishes of the handcrafted furnishings found throughout the space. The suite’s design boasts a unique juxtaposition of elegance and contemporary sleekness that reflects the bespoke elements of both brands. The black leather tile floor pairs perfectly with a linen coloured, perforated diamond leather wall, stitched with one of the 42 custom Bentley leathers. A metallic silver mirror, inspired by a carbon fibber wheel rim, sits above an accent table evocative of the dashboard of a Bentley. The suite combines the modern yet glamorous style of the brand with the timeless and impeccable style of The St. Regis New York.

The dining room features an expansive media wall including a large TV as well as four Breitling clocks marking the time in New York, London, Moscow and Riyadh. Bold, black trim is set against cream walls with artwork that displays the heritage of the Bentley brand: images taken from the brand’s founding to the present day. A crystal chandelier adorns the ceiling, while a sumptuous leather rug and dark stained white oak floors bring to life the understated elegance of the brand.

In the living room, ivory walls are accented with crisp black crown moulding that line the ceiling, ultra-luxe tufted leather sofa and wing chairs provide ultimate comfort and relaxation, and a crystal chandelier decorates the centre of the room. Luxurious menswear inspired herringbone drapery runs from floor to ceiling, framing windows that provide breathtaking views overlooking Fifth Avenue and Central Park. The bedroom features a custom sleigh bed with the classic Bentley burled wood, complemented by the warm colour palette of aubergine, warm greys and ivory. The ‘root burrow’ wood throughout the room is reminiscent of the signature Mulsanne model’s exotic natural wood veneers.

IMAGE CREDIT: Bruce Buck

The Dorchester Debuts 22 New Suites by Alexandra Champalimaud

With a fresh take on the eclecticism of the English spirit, The Dorchester has recently unveiled 22 new suites by interior designer Alexandra Champalimaud. Whilst the new suites at Dorchester Collection’s iconic London address in the heart of Mayfair stay true to the hotel’s classic English residential style, the new design fuses contemporary comfort with the timeless glamour and heritage of the world-renowned property. Commenting on the project, Alexandra Champalimaud, president and principal designer of Champalimaud, said: “I have always been fascinated by the way the English live in their homes and wanted to capture that certain quirkiness found in beautiful English properties, whilst building on the history and quintessentially British nature of The Dorchester.”

A short film of Alexandra Champalimaud discussing her inspiration for the project

Each of the 22 suites features an eclectic array of furnishings, inspired by a cosmopolitan collection of influences echoing the British fondness for filling homes with mementos from a lifetime of travel. Craftsmen from a variety of British firms were commissioned to create furniture, mirrors and textiles for the suites, and fabrics and wallcoverings are from exceptional design houses such as Colefax & Fowler, Coles and Son, Nobilis, Romo, Neisha Crosland, JAB and GP & J Baker.

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Marriott International has announced the opening of the 220-apartment The Imperial Mansion, Beijing – Marriott Executive Apartments. This is Marriott International’s fifth extended stay property in China, showing great support and commitment for the brand, and is located within the capital city’s busy central business and leisure district, next door of the Forbidden City, the world’s largest imperial palace.Ideally located in the centre of Wangfujing district, the prestigious business, entertainment, and shopping area of Beijing, The Imperial Mansion, Beijing MEA Apartments is just a few minutes’ walk from the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and Wangfujing subway station, offering easy accessible to business, commercial and cultural attractions.

The property offers 220 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 64 to 228 square meters. Each spacious apartment is stylishly designed with clean lines, accentuated by hardwood floors, contemporary furniture and modern technology. Internet is available in apartments as well as in common areas. Walk-in closets in the master bedrooms provide guests with ample space to spread out, and a professional workspace and full kitchen give each unit a residential, home-like feel. Most apartments have private balconies and all are equipped with an entertainment system with 42″ inch LED satellite television, iPod docking stations and DVD player.

A western and local delicacy gourmet breakfast is served daily at the residents lounge. Guests have 24-hour access to the fitness centre, complete with a spacious playroom for children and heated 25-meter indoor infinity pool, overseeing the imperial landscape of the Forbidden City. Laundry and personalized concierge services provide guests the advantages of a five star hotel.

Additional amenities at the apartments include a multifunctional meeting space with natural daylight measuring a combined total of 180 square meters.

Autograph Collection continues its global growth with plans to debut three new European hotels by the end of the year. Opening in key gateway cities including Lisbon, Portugal; Rouen, France; and Lille, France; the new additions will expand the current portfolio to 12 Autograph Collection hotels throughout Europe and nearly 40 hotels globally by year end – marking an average of one property joining the collection per month since the brand’s inception in 2010. Other notable additions this year to the Autograph Collection include Turnberry Isle Miami, Brown Palace Hotel & Spa in Denver, and the Blue Moon and Winter Haven Hotels in Miami Beach.

“It’s been very interesting to see how the industry has responded to Autograph Collection,” said Tina Edmundson, senior vice president of lifestyle brands for Marriott International. “Our initial strategy was to draw in existing properties that could benefit from Marriott’s extensive network of Marriott Rewards members and Marriott.com. While we have seen great success come from that approach, the structure of our business model is shifting to include newly built hotels that want the freedom to design and create their own property experience, while at the same time upholding the customer promise expected from a global brand like Marriott International.”

The three new additions to the Autograph Collection include:

Fontecruz, Portugal
Fontecruz will join Autograph Collection this Fall as a destination at the center of the Lisbon’s most significant neighborhood. Situated on the city’s main street, Avenida Liberdale, Fontecruz is Autograph Collection’s first hotel in Portugal. The property offers all the luxuries guests may expect from a hotel set along this landmark strip noted for its mixture of historical charm and modern sophistication. Fontecruz features 72 exclusive rooms and suites, onsite dining and panoramic vistas of the surrounding area.

Hotel De Bourgtheroulde, France
Autograph Collection’s Fall expansion in Europe also includes the addition of Hotel De Bourgtheroulde in Rouen, France. One of the oldest, most noteworthy stone mansions constructed in 15th century, the property has been transformed into a charming, modernized retreat that offers guests a unique experience in the northern region of the country. Hotel De Bourgtheroulde features a full service spa, multiple dining venues, and space for group meetings and events.

Hotel L’Hermitage Gantois, France
Originally built in the 1400s, the Hotel L’Hermitage Gantois will soon join Autograph Collection as a historic getaway in Lille, one of the largest metropolitan areas in France. The hotel’s 72 guest rooms range in size to offer intimate spaces to grand accommodations. Visitors will enjoy all the comforts of the modern day, including Wi-Fi and in-room Nespresso coffee machines. The hotel also offers a variety of food and beverage options.

The stylish 201-room Mercure hotel has opened in the green precinct of Nusa Dua Bali, and is offering some great opening rates for travelers who continue to flock to the holiday island. Australians continue to top the arrivals charts, and Nusa Dua is a favoured destination for couples and families seeking a quieter side to life.The newly-built Mercure Bali Nusa Dua opened on 23 September 2012, just a stone’s throw from the prominent Bali Tourism Development (BTDC) complex, and the hotel is ideally located for access to the Bali International Convention Centre and the many shopping, dining and entertainment options of the Bali Collection Shopping Mall. Located a mere 14 kilometers from Bali’s International Ngurah Rai Airport and 25 minutes from the chic and lively areas of Seminyak and Kuta and Legian, the hotel is ideal for business and leisure travellers alike.

The popular Mercure brand is known for its individually-styled and personalized hotels, each with its own distinctive character. There are now 4 Mercure Hotels in Bali -Mercure Bali Nusa Dua, Mercure Resort Sanur, Mercure Bali Kuta and Mercure Bali Harvestland Kuta.

The hotel features 201 comfortable, contemporary rooms including 150 Superior rooms, 43 Deluxe rooms and 8 Junior Suites. Guests can indulge at the restaurant which serves local and international dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, sit down for a drink in the lobby or relax at the pool bar, work out in the fully-equipped fitness centre, or enjoy the hotel’s unique swimming pool, divided over two levels and connected by a waterfall.

Three meeting rooms with a capacity of up to 200 people can accommodate conferences, weddings and other events, while the business centre services and lobby internet corner round out the hotel’s business facilities.

All rooms are designed to reflect the identity and heritage of Bali, while embracing the contemporary style of Mercure. Each room is equipped with premium in-room amenities including international cable television channels and free WiFi Internet access.

Holiday Inn Farnborough has completed its refresh of The Spirit Health Club – the £50,000 investment has given the health club new high tech facilities and equipment, including new Life Fitness weight machines and a new sauna. All Spirit Health Club members and hotel guests are entitled to complementary use of Holiday Inn Farnborough’s Health and Fitness Club, where they will benefit from the new facilities and equipment. They can also take advantage of the hotel’s existing swimming pool, spa and steam room and expert staff including a lifestyle consultant and beauty therapist.

Mark Ind, General Manager at Holiday Inn Farnborough said: “We’ve made this investment as part of our commitment to Spirit members and hotel guests so we can continue to offer first class facilities, quality services and great value every time they visit our health and fitness club.

In addition to this monetary investment we also offer excellent customer service from our well trained and knowledgeable personal trainers, who treat every Spirit member and guest as an individual – establishing their own personal aspirations and goals.”

Holiday Inn Farnborough is located close to the town centre, adjacent to Farnborough Airfield, home to the Farnborough International Airshow. The distinctive hotel is over 100 years old but has modern facilities including 142 air conditioned guest bedrooms, restaurant and bar, as well as meeting and events space.

Keep an eye out for HotelDesigns’ review on the site soon…

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has recently announced the opening of Sheraton Valley Forge Hotel in King of Prussia, just 18 minutes from downtown Philadelphia. The highly anticipated property offers a vibrant, open atmosphere and all of the Sheraton brand’s recently improved amenities and services. Owned and operated by Wurzak Hotel Group, Sheraton Valley Forge features 180 rooms, extensive, state-of-the-art meeting facilities and a Sheraton Club Lounge.The lobby’s dynamic open design is enhanced by soaring, 25 foot ceilings, an abundance of natural light and custom-designed furniture. At the heart of the lobby is the signature “Link@Sheraton(R) experience with Microsoft®” – the brand’s social connectivity hub. All guest rooms are outfitted with the all-white Sheraton Sweet Sleeper® bed, designed to meet AAA’s Five Diamond Award® criteria, an oversized work desk, ergonomic chair, high-speed Internet and 42-inch flat panel television. Sheraton Club guests will enjoy upgraded amenities, as well as complimentary breakfast, beverages and evening hors d’oeuvres in the Sheraton Club Lounge.

Sheraton Valley Forge Hotel provides more than 25,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space including 13 conference rooms and two executive board rooms. Additional amenities include an indoor pool and full-service restaurant. The hotel’s fitness facility features the brand’s revolutionary new health and fitness program, Sheraton Fitness, Programmed by Core Performance, designed exclusively for Sheraton guests through its partner Core Performance.

Source: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Monday 1st October saw the opening of the new build Holiday Inn Southend in Essex. The £10 million investment provides luxury 4* accommodation and services conveniently located at the entrance to Southend Airport and railway station sector.Reception is immediately visible from the entrance with a reception lounge to the right and lifts to the five floors on the left. Further to the left of the lift lobby is the Lounge – a café option for a quick bite to eat. Through the Lounge is the Laker Suite, a conference and banqueting facility that holds up to 150 guests. The name was apparently selected as a tribute to Sir Freddie Laker, the airline entrepreneur who operated from Southend Airport in the 1950’s. Smaller meeting rooms are available and are named Ambassador, Britannia and Carvair in honour of those planes that featured in Southend Airport’s history.

Similar décor and furnishings are used seamlessly through reception, the Lounge and into the conference area with large floor to ceiling windows veiled with voile curtains. This still allows natural light into the areas whilst keeping the slightly disappointing views of the main road and car park to a minimum. There are incredible views of Southend and the airport, cleverly reserved for the 1935 Rooftop Restaurant & Bar.

Continued on page two…

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has recently announced the opening of the Crowne Plaza Tulsa, Okla. The eleven-story, 286-room hotel underwent a conversion from a Hilton and features newly redesigned guestrooms and public spaces. The hotel features 13,000 square feet of meeting space with five total ballrooms. The space can be configured into as many as six meeting rooms for smaller meetings. The Crowne Plaza offers a signature comprehensive meetings program that ensures a seamless planning process and an exceptional meeting experience consisting of three key components: a Two-Hour Response Guarantee, a Crowne Meetings Director and a Daily Meetings Debrief.

The Crowne Plaza Tulsa – Southern Hills boasts 286 guestrooms, including one presidential suite and six junior suites. Guests can take advantage of a variety of amenities, including complimentary wireless Internet in guest rooms, king beds with pull-out sofas, a fitness centre, business centre and an all-seasons indoor pool.

The hotel’s food and beverage offering includes Legends Grill; a casual restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. For breakfast, the Legends Grill features a buffet and made-to-order eggs and omelettes. The Falls Lounge offers dinner and cocktails. Other amenities include onsite complimentary parking and complimentary shuttle service.

The Crowne Plaza Tulsa – Southern Hills is independently owned by McSam Hotels and operated by Packard Management Group, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.

Ibis, the benchmark in the economy segment, is pushing ahead with its transformation in line with evolving trends in consumer preferences and cementing its leadership in the worldwide economy hotel sector. This is the first step in Accor’s strategy to modernise all its brands. “What we are doing with ibis is reinventing economy hotels by setting a new standard. Our goal is to open up new territories – I mean new hotel experiences as well as new geographies. This project is unprecedented. It has put ibis’ vision one step ahead. It is treating our customers to unrivalled choice at affordable prices and our franchisees to even more brand appeal,” explains Accor Chairman and CEO Denis Hennequin.

This economy-brand revitalisation project kicked off on 13 September 2011 and involved grouping ibis, ibis Styles (all seasons) and ibis budget (Etap Hotel) within one single ibis family. The project’s goals were ambitious and it is outpacing traditional hospitality-industry cycles: by the end of October 2012, 100% of the UK network and 80% of the ibis network worldwide (1,280 hotels) will boast the new banners. The project will be complete by the end of 2012.

This revolution also involves revamping ibis hotel bedding

The fact that roughly 70% of guests rank comfortable beds as the single most important factor when they choose an economy hotel* prompted Accor to develop an exclusive bedding concept – Sweet BedTM by ibis, ibis Styles, ibis budget – to treat customers to unrivalled comfort and establish a solid reputation on that score.

* July 2012 Accor Business Traveller survey

The new ibis and ibis budget, public areas – lobbies, reception desks and bars – have been revamped into contemporary living areas brimming with uncompromising designer class. These areas were unveiled last June and 50 hotels worldwide will have completed the renovation work by the end of this year.

In the UK the first of these designs will be visible in London in 2013.

Continued on page two…

Marriott International’s world-class luxury hotel brand, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, has announced plans to convert the existing 118-room Bristol Buenaventura, making it the first resort and first hotel for the brand in Panama. The future JW Marriott Panama Golf & Beach Resort will be located within the master-planned Buenaventura beachfront community, near the town of Rio Hato, about 80 miles southwest of Panama City, on the Pacific Coast of Panama. The property will be operated by Marriott under an agreement with the Bristol Hospitality Group, which will retain ownership of the resort. The property is located in Buenaventura, undoubtedly Panama’s most exclusive resort community, approximately 80 miles southwest of Panama City on Panama’s Pacific coast. The resort is nestled on 1,000 lush acres with 118 accommodations, including five expansive suites and four residence-style villas.

In addition to 118 guest rooms and suites, the resort features five restaurants, a recently opened 18-hole Nicklaus Design course, a fitness centre, spa, kids club and new beach club complete with breathtaking infinity pool and waterfront butler service. The hotel has 517 square meters of meeting space, including a grand ballroom and four smaller meeting rooms.

More images on page two…

W Hotels Worldwide has announced the opening of the first W Hotel in Singapore with the debut of W Singapore – Sentosa Cove and The Residences at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove. Owned and developed by an affiliate of City Developments Limited, W Singapore is an urban oasis located on Sentosa, the city’s most glamorous island only minutes away from downtown Singapore. Designed by London-based architects WATG and renowned design firm Rockwell Group, W Singapore has been inspired by the buzzing energy of the city set against Sentosa’s natural surroundings to create a new scene in this international capital. Adjacent to the 228 W-branded residences, the hotel offers a fully integrated lifestyle experience, featuring 240 guest rooms and suites, two signature restaurants, a destination bar, the W Lounge experience, WET pool deck and bar, Away Spa, and more than 1,500 meters of modern meeting and event space.Island Glamour Unleashed on Sentosa Island

Located minutes away from Singapore’s Central Business District, fashionable shopping and iconic sights, Sentosa Island is a modern playground for stylish locals and international jetsetters alike, offering lush rainforests, sandy beaches, award-winning spas, luxurious residences, and a deep-water yachting marina. W Singapore and The Residences at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove are situated in the heart of Sentosa and adjacent to Quayside Isle, a unique specialty retail complex with waterfront restaurants and shops.

The design of W Singapore has been inspired by modern interpretations of Sentosa’s lush, tropical landscape. For instance, upon arrival, guests are welcomed by a waterfall with projections of vibrant graphic patterns on the water, while the outdoor terrace features glowing grass lights, rock-shaped daybeds, and an over-scaled rock garden. Patterns evoking Singapore’s national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim Orchid, can be found throughout W Singapore and serving as inspiration for guestrooms. In the hotel’s W Lounge, a DJ console carved out of natural stone creates a centrepiece, overlooking the lawn, which illuminates in the evening.

Sip and Mix, Indulge and Escape in Singapore’s New Urban Oasis

Setting a new gourmet scene in Singapore, SKIRT, the W brand’s first contemporary grill restaurant, makes its debut with a slick bar for sipping the latest cocktails and aging cabinets serving the finest meats, sensational seafood, signature soups and tantalizing desserts. The Kitchen Table all-day dining restaurant features an interactive experience with various live food stations and tastings at the whim of the chef. WOOBAR, W Singapore’s destination nightclub, offers innovative cocktails creations by the W mixologist and sounds by the hotel’s resident DJ at nightfall. For a chill out moment, WET Bar is a poolside spot to socialize, sip and nibble under Singapore’s glistening sun.

W Singapore features an Away® Spa, the W brand’s signature spa concept that offers an escape for both guests and locals to detox and refuel for what’s to come. Guests of the spa are greeted by rainforest-inspired decor and natural sculptural pieces that personify the exotic gardens of Singapore. Away at W Singapore exclusively features iLA products and highly-customized beds that offer maximum comfort. For guests seeking the ultimate spa experience, W Singapore offers nine Away guest rooms and suites, located on the spa level of the hotel and each featuring a private plunge pool. The hotel also features GYM state-of-the art fitness center and WET pool deck, featuring a 1,300 square meter outdoor pool with 24 underwater speakers.

All guest rooms and suites at W Singapore feature a signature W Bed, Munchie Box stocked with exclusive amenities, 40″ LED HD TV, state-of-the-art surround sound system, high-speed Wi-Fi, and MP3 player plug-and-play device. All bathrooms are stocked with Bliss®
amenities to ensure a relaxing experience after a day of sun or night of fun. The hotel offers W’s signature Whatever/Whenever® service philosophy, offering guests whatever they want, whenever they want it, as long as it’s legal!

W Singapore features more than 1,500 square meters of meeting and event space, including an 732-square-meter Great Room, seven meeting rooms, and a stunning outdoor space outfitted with adaptable conference furniture and state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment. W Singapore is the first hotel in the city to feature private berthing stations along the shore with direct access to the Great Room for an enhanced grand entrance.

About The Residences at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove

The Residences at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove is an award-winning, W-branded high lux condominium by the marina with berthing facilities for yacht owners right at its backyard. Supported by the neighbouring W Hotel’s Whatever / Whenever® concierge services, The Residences at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove boast of a complete W lifestyle for the affluent unlike any other. Complimented with Quayside Isle’s dining and retail experiences at its doorstep, residents at this superbly located Sentosa Cove home that is minutes away from the city, will be spoilt for choice. Be one of the few to live and own the W lifestyle. This integrated luxury enclave, which comprises The Residences at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove, W Singapore – Sentosa Cove and Quayside Isle, has been envisioned and developed by City Developments Limited (CDL), Singapore’s trusted property pioneer since 1963.

Source: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Recognized worldwide for its stunning accommodations, Bellagio announced recently that it will remodel all 928 rooms and suites in the resort’s Spa Tower beginning August 19. Following Bellagio’s $70 million redesign of 2,568 guest rooms in its main tower in 2011, the Spa Tower remodel will encompass 819 guest rooms and 109 suites including the prestigious Chairman and Presidential suites. The $40 million project is expected to be completed by December 2012.

“The Spa Tower remodel will broaden our distinct selection of luxury accommodations and strengthen our commitment to the overall evolution of the Bellagio experience,” said Randy Morton, president and COO of Bellagio. “The new designs and layouts of the suites are exquisite and complement the contemporary ambiance we’ve created throughout the resort.”

In addition to the Resort King and Resort Queen guest rooms, the Spa Tower features a wide range of suites including the 850-square-foot Salon Suites; the 1,000-square-foot Bellagio Suites; the 1,500-square-foot Penthouses; the 1,900-square-foot two-bedroom Bellagio Suites; and the 4,000-square-foot Chairman and Presidential suites.

Additionally, as part of this remodel, Bellagio will introduce three new Executive Hospitality Suites created with entertainment and technology in mind. The 2,500-square-foot suites each will feature a billiards lounge and separate home theater living area allowing guests to comfortably host intimate, yet interactive events in a vibrant setting.

Created by the talented MGM Resorts International Design Group, the new Spa Tower Resort Rooms will be consistent with the three designs represented in Bellagio’s main tower. The Resort King Rooms will feature an indigo and silver combination or a green tea and plum palette while the Resort Queen Rooms will welcome guests with an amber and butterscotch motif.

Remodeled Resort Rooms in the Spa Tower will be available for reservation in early September. The new suites will be available beginning in November.

Menzies Hotels, one of the UK’s leading independent hotel groups has launched a brand new look, feel and vision across its portfolio and unveiled details of an impressive redevelopment plan for 2012. The simple but impassioned core ethos of; ‘You’re in a good place’ has be created to run throughout all elements of the business. It will be particularly prominent in the areas of; breakfast, welcome and farewell, bedrooms, business services and leisure stays – the crucial elements identified by guests of Menzies Hotels that make up an enjoyable hotel experience.

A new brand identity has also been designed which features a modern logo in blue and gold, new signage for both external and internal usage, fresh new brochures and a cleaner, easier-to-use website featuring great offers.

Niall Geoghegan, Chairman, Menzies Hotels commented; “Menzies Hotels aims to be one of the UK’s leading hotel brands, offering an experience that is so consistently good, relaxing and friendly that it feels like home. Our new messaging; “You’re in a good place is a really important phrase in delivering this and will sit right at the heart of everything we stand for and in every communication with guests, no matter how big or small.”

Throughout 2012, Menzies Hotels will also be investing around £7 million into its portfolio with a variety of redevelopment projects.

This includes a £2.2 million refurbishment at its flagship property; Menzies Welcombe Hotel, Spa & Golf Club in Stratford-upon-Avon, a £1.1 million investment at both Bournemouth properties; Menzies Carlton and East Cliff Court as well as significant investment to the bedrooms at Menzies Prince Regent in Chigwell and Menzies Cambridge.

Most recently, the hotel group has unveiled a brand new breakfast menu, developed following an extensive review of its current offering and feedback from guests who were able to trial it before it was officially launched last month.

Marriott International, Inc. has recently announced the first TownePlace Suites hotel to open as part of its LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environment Volume Program) Volume Program – the TownePlace Suites Denver Airport at Gateway Park in Colorado. TownePlace Suites is the hospitality leader’s second brand to construct a hotel built using Marriott’s LEED Volume Program. The hotel will be the brand’s first exemplary property using the LEED Volume prototype. Certified by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the LEED Volume Program removes the guess work from the process for property developers, such as hotel owners who want to build a LEED-certified hotel, saving them time and money. Volume certification provides a streamlined path to LEED certification based on a pre-approved prototype and process.

Owners of these hotels save about $100,000 in upfront costs and six months of design time. Additionally, owners can expect to save 25 percent in energy and water consumption and should recover their additional investment in five to six years—possibly sooner depending on federal and local government incentives.

Opened May 8, the TownePlace Suites Denver like all Marriott LEED Volume hotels features a number of elements that focus on energy and water efficiency and recycling. Some of those elements include:
– Light-colored roofing that reflects heat and saves energy;
– 70 percent ENERGY STAR® certified appliances including refrigerators, TVs, computers and kitchen equipment;
– Water-efficient toilets and aerated bathroom faucets;
– 10 percent of the building materials used contain recycled content;
– “On Demand” ventilation that provides fresh air for occupied spaces without wasting energy on unoccupied areas of the property;
– LED lighting – controls that turn off the lights;
– Incorporates high-tech daylight sensors to reduce electrical lighting with natural sunlight and
– Uses renewable energy sources such as solar or wind.

The TownePlace Suites Denver also features a warm lobby and friendly “hello” signage that welcomes guests to the check-in area. Guests and staff interact using a floor-to-ceiling TowneMap® that helps guests settle into the local area by featuring great places to eat, popular night spots, recreation areas, shopping and services, such as dry cleaners and local car wash outlets.

The hotel offers a complimentary continental breakfast every morning in the lobby area, as well as 24-hour complimentary On Us℠ coffee service, guests who want a quick snack can also select food and beverage items from the 24-hour access In a Pinch® Market.

Marriott’s entire select-service and extended-stay portfolios — Courtyard, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites and TownePlace Suites – are all LEED Volume certified. In addition to the LEED Volume certified TownePlace Suites Denver, the Residence Inn Austin in Texas, which is scheduled to open in early 2013 will be the first of its brand to be LEED Volume certified. The SpringHill Suites and Fairfield Inn brands have projects under development. Across the Marriott portfolio, there are more than 90 hotels that are LEED- certified or registered by the USGBC.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has recently announced that it plans to debut the Aloft brand in South Korea in late 2014, signing an agreement with development partner Youngshin HRD. Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of OKHOW Co., Ltd. The hotel, Aloft Suwon, will be the first Aloft hotel in South Korea, adding to the brand’s global expansion plan and growth momentum in Asia Pacific that has been building up in recent years. A game-changer since its 2008 debut, Aloft Hotels and its vibrant “style at a steal” brand proposition is geared toward the next generation of travellers, pioneering initiatives in music, design, and technology; and providing modern comforts and a fun social guest experience at an affordable price point. The Aloft brand has consistently garnered high guest satisfaction scores since its launch, with select hotels ranking among TripAdvisor’s 2012 “Top 25 Trendiest Hotels in the US and around the world.” In addition to new developments, the Aloft brand’s global growth plans include conversions and adaptive-reuse projects.

Aloft Suwon is located in Yeongtong-dong in the heart of historical Suwon, the provincial capital of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Suwon is a major industrial center, housing Samsung Electronics’ digital city and a large factory complex; it is also home to 14 university campuses. Located about 60 kilometres from Incheon International Airport and 30 kilometres from Seoul, the hotel is well connected by various modes of transportation. It offers easy access to numerous sights, including the impressive UNESCO World Heritage site of Hwaseong Fortress, the Suwon business district, and local government offices.

Slated to open in October 2014, Aloft Suwon is part of a mixed use development that also consists of retail and residential spaces. The hotel occupies the 4th to 11th floors, featuring 120 guest rooms, including 114 standard rooms and six suites, in a modern, fresh, and fun setting. It also boasts a 404 square meter meeting and function space, and two food and beverage facilities, including the buzzing signature lounge and bar, and an all-day dining restaurant. Other amenities include a 275 square meter recreational facility, with a well equipped gym, and it is situated adjacent to an 854 square meter spa that provides signature rejuvenating treatments.

Source: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Continent Worldwide Hotels is proud to commence the soft opening of its business hotel Altis Hotel by Continent, Langkawi – Malaysia in September 2012 and following openings a new tourist destination in Bangladesh, Continent Sea Princess Cox’s Bazar alongside Continent Centrepoint Panakkukang – Makassar, Indonesia in December 2012.Following these three diverse openings, Continent Worldwide announced another city hotel and the third property in Indonesia, Urbana Hotel Jemursai by Continent which is expected to open early 2015.

Group currently has in Bangladesh another two developments beside of Continent Sea Princess in Cox’s Bazar; Continent Grand Titanic Hotel (opening 2013), Ancyra Dove Hotel (opening 2015), two developments in Kuakata, Continent Grand Hotel (opening 2013), Princess Prithy Resort (opening 2014) and one development in Rangamati, Continent Titanic Resort (opening 2013)

“There are a lot more ongoing negotiations in Asia and I believe we will be announcing soon our new “Urban Hotel Collection” branded hotel developments and also “Continent” branded hotels in Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Malaysia” said, CEO Mr. Kenan Saral and added “We are rapidly growing not just in Asia but in another regions as well, by slow but stable steps. Due to the economic turn downs in Middle East and Africa; there are a lot of hotel owners who are started to look alternative brand licenses and operators; who has reasonable fees and better values than other well known hotel chains. We are experiencing and receiving more and more inquiries every day.”

Marriott International, Inc. continues to grow its world-class JW Marriott hotel brand with the opening of JW Marriott Essex House New York, the brand’s first hotel in New York City. The 509-room hotel is located on Central Park South in Manhattan’s renowned midtown neighbourhood, boasting sky-high views of Central Park and situated just steps from famed Fifth Avenue shopping, dining and entertainment. The property was most recently the Jumeirah Essex House and reopened today as JW Marriott Essex House New York. An anticipated addition to Marriott International’s luxury JW Marriott global brand portfolio, the landmark hotel features 509 guestrooms and suites ranging from 300 to 2,500 square feet. JW Marriott Essex House New York is a destination for leisure and business travellers alike, offering world-class dining, expansive meeting space and a tranquil spa and fitness centre. A beautifully appointed Executive Lounge – an autograph feature of JW hotels worldwide – will be built in early 2013. Travellers also have the opportunity to enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences from JW Marriott’s brand partners, including fine art exhibitions from Christie’s, signature in-room bath amenities from Aromatherapy Associates and nutritious, balanced menu options from Keri Glassman.

Mr. Stephen Batta was named General Manager of JW Marriott Essex House New York. With more than 20 years of industry experience, Batta has spent the majority of his career in the New York City market. Most recently, Batta was the General Manager of the Renaissance New York Hotel 57, where he led his team to achieve exceptionally high associate engagement levels and placed a strong focus on leadership development.

The iconic Essex House first opened its doors in October 1931 and at that time, was the tallest tower in New York City. Marriott International operated the hotel from 1969 to 1984 and though the hotel has grown and changed under several hospitality brands over the years, the building remains one of Manhattan’s most revered Art Deco masterpieces of the 1930s. JW Marriott Essex House New York is one of more than 200 hotels and resorts across the country that is recognized by Historic Hotels of America for preserving and maintaining its historic integrity, architecture and ambiance.

Accor is set to open four new hotels in London in October; a Novotel and ibis hotel in Blackfriars, a second ibis hotel in Shepherd’s Bush and a new addition to the growing Mercure hotel portfolio, opening in Greenwich.During this incredibly important year for London, Accor aims to further expand its presence in the city by developing new hotels, creating jobs and investing in the training and development of young people in the hospitality industry.

This year alone Accor UK & Ireland is opening more than 1000 additional bedrooms in London, across six new hotel openings and two extensions to existing hotels. In addition, this year Accor is investing in the refurbishment of a further 12 London hotels. This brings the Group’s London portfolio to 53 hotels and well over nine thousand bedrooms across the Capital. The announcement follows recent openings in Croydon, Whitechapel and King’s Cross.

Commenting on the opening of the new hotels, Thomas Dubaere, Managing Director, Accor UK & Ireland said: “2012 is an incredibly important year for London. As the market leader in Europe and a key business player in the hospitality industry, Accor has treated this important year as a strategic opportunity to boost our presence in the UK’s capital by investing in upcoming areas such as Shepherd’s Bush, Blackfriars, Whitechapel and King’s Cross, and improving the training and development of young people in the hospitality industry, to ensure a long term legacy for 2012 and beyond.”

The newly built Novotel and ibis London Blackfriars hotels occupy unique expansive purpose-built adjoining buildings, offering easy access to the city and Eurostar connections at St. Pancras International. Forming part of the regeneration of the Blackfriars area, these two new hotels have led to the creation of more than 70 jobs in the local area.

Encompassing the latest in consumer technology, visitors to the 4* Novotel London Blackfriars will be greeted by self-service touch screen check in systems, in addition to the standard check-in desks, to allow guests to check in quickly and easily. All 182 bedrooms in the hotel include a media hub for iPads, iPods and tablets. The new-build hotel also features restaurant, bar, seven meetings rooms, a state-of-the-art gym, saunarium and swimming pool.

The 297-bedrooms flagship ibis London Blackfriars hotel also comprises a modern and fresh feel with a new-style open plan reception and living space that opens up the hotel’s public spaces with contemporary design and sleek, modern interiors.

The contemporary ibis hotel in Shepherd’s Bush features 128 rooms and is situated next to the up-and-coming West12 centre and within five minutes of the Westfield Shopping Centre. Westfield was created following significant investment to regenerate the area, investment that continues with the plans to revitalise Shepherd’s Bush Market and the surrounding area including Shepherd’s Green, directly in front of the new hotel. Providing a further boost, ibis Shepherd’s Bush has led to the creation of 30 jobs in the local community and will ensure more visitors to the London suburb.

Both of the new ibis hotels will deliver a high quality food offering, focusing on dishes from around with the world.

The 145-bed Mercure Greenwich will open its doors in October, following a major conversion of the 1930’s Maurice Drummond House in Greenwich. The building, which won RIBA’s London Architectural Medal in 1946, will become Mercure’s 72nd hotel in the UK. The opening will create up to 70 jobs.

Dubaere added: “2012 provides a real opportunity for London to raise its profile as a business centre and tourist destination. It’s encouraging to see so many businesses in the hospitality industry responding to this opportunity by investing in the city and its people, so that we can reap the benefits in the long term. It is important to look at the successes of today and the ‘afterglow’; what are we going to do tomorrow? For Accor, the focus remains on our people and the continued investment in their development. Opening four new hotels in the Capital in one month is testament to our commitment to growth in London and in the UK.”

Following hot on the heels of the Diamond Jubilee, the Olympics and the much anticipated Paralympics, what an inspirational year it has been for Great Britain so far. With this in mind, Aqua-Innovations drew on inspirational British design talent and partnering with British manufactures to deliver a superior quality product with total quality control and no costly delays at customs.

Their in-house design team has created a beautiful set of unique designs that can be retrofitted to existing wet rooms and bathrooms to fit all major manufacturers or customised as required.

So whether it’s gold, silver or bronze Aqua-Innovations’ designer drain covers can fit the bill to complete the designer detail to your finished project. Available in a range of materials including: Gold Plated, Stainless Steel and Bronze.

Marriott International, Inc. continues to grow its world-class luxury JW Marriott hotel brand with the opening of the 153-room JW Marriott Cusco. The much anticipated hotel stands at an altitude of 11,154ft above sea level, the company’s highest-altitude hotel, and is situated at the gateway of the Andes mountain sanctuary Machu Picchu. The hotel will feature a highly customized design built around a colonial church and ancient Inca artefacts found on the site. The property will also epitomize the approachable elegance that distinguishes the JW Marriott brand, a global portfolio of 52 luxury hotels and resorts. For dining and recreation at the JW Marriott Cusco will feature two restaurants – Pirka Restaurant, which will include an original colonial wall from the convent and offer modern Peruvian cuisine; and the Qespi Bar & Ninna Sonnco Lounge. The hotel will also feature 24-hour room service, a foreign currency exchange office and retail stores such as HStern, Ilaria and Kuna. To ensure guest relaxation and well-being, the hotel will boast a state-of-the-art fitness centre and a 3,300 square foot Spa with dry saunas, steaming rooms, and a relaxation pool.

The 153 rooms and suites will all include luxury bedding, high speed internet, 42’’ plasma TV, alarm clock with iPod/iPad docking station, high-end coffee machine and the brand’s signature Aromatherapy Associates bathroom amenities.

Located in the heart of Cusco’s historical district, the JW Marriott Cusco will feature archaeological exhibits with the findings uncovered during excavation work dating back from Pre-Hispanic to Colonial and contemporary cultural superimposition. During the construction phases of the hotel, property owners Inversiones La Rioja, collaborated with national and international institutions that provide protection to human heritage. These institutions include:

• United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• The National Institute of Culture (INC)
• The Municipality of Cusco
• San Agustin de Cusco University

Few leisure destinations in the world compare with Cusco, designated a World Heritage site in the 1980’s and located in the Andes 11,000 feet above sea level. The city has witnessed the rise of the Inca Empire as well as its demise with Spanish colonization of the Americas in the 16th century. The city’s colonial art school is recognized as one of the most prolific in the Americas. Above all, Cusco serves as the gateway for the world-renowned mountain sanctuary Machu Picchu – accessible only by train along the sacred Urubamba valley – as well as other landmarks, such as the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the Inca sites of Kenko, Puca Pucara and the market towns of Pisac and Chincheros.

At an elevation of 11,200 feet above sea level, the JW Cusco will be the first Marriott property to have an in-room supplemental oxygen system to alleviate altitude adjustments.

His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent KG officially opened the newly-restored Wivenhoe House hotel, home of the Edge Hotel School, in Colchester on the 20th September.

The UK’s first hotel school where degree students combine their studies with work in a commercial luxury hotel, the Edge Hotel School is where the future leaders of the hospitality industry will learn their profession.A partnership between the University of Essex, its academic partner Kaplan, and the Edge Foundation, the Edge Hotel School took its first students in June and July, allowing them to be involved in opening a new hotel.

Andrea Tye, 28, from Tiptree, who is studying for a BA in Culinary Management, said: “ At the moment I am still really living the dream, everything I could have possibly have wanted in terms of a course and work experience is here.”

Andrea, who escorted the Royal visitor around the hotel, added: “It was really good to meet HRH The Duke of Kent. He seemed really interested in what we are doing.” Martin Kilgariff, 20, who also showed HRH around the public rooms and two of the bedrooms, said: “He found the whole idea of The Edge Hotel School extremely interesting. He was very keen to know of my experience in the hospitality industry.”

Students of the Edge Hotel School are working towards fast-track two year degrees, learning by doing through combining academic study with working in all areas of the hotel and restaurants, supervised by leading industry professionals. The hotel school curriculum has been developed in collaboration with employers and industry leaders and with industry needs in mind.

The eighteenth century Wivenhoe House, in Colchester, which was painted by John Constable, has undergone a £10 million-plus refurbishment, restoring it to its Georgian and Victorian grandeur.

The Duke of Kent met representatives of the three partners involved in establishing the Edge Hotel School, unveiled a plaque and signed the Visitors’ Book, before having lunch in the hotel’s Signatures Restaurant, prepared by Executive Chef Paul Boorman.

Stay amidst the treetops in Alila Ubud’s new Terrace Tree Villas

The boutique Balinese resort of Alila Ubud will launch four exclusive new Terrace Tree Villas this autumn, providing guests with the chance to experience the lush natural landscape.Set high above the Ayung river valley overlooking a stunning vista of alang alang plantations and rice paddies and perfectly positioned to capture the sunrise, the new villas combine a luxurious retreat with a true back to nature experience.

Designed as the most exclusive accommodation in the resort, the four spacious 120 sqm Terrace Tree Villas feature an indoor & outdoor living experience with a huge alfresco wood-decked living area providing the perfect place to dine, unwind and stargaze to a backdrop of the sights and sounds of its forest location.

The open-plan interiors are inspired by the natural setting combining the warmth of wood and recycled teak with elegant furnishings to create a relaxing, magical hideaway. Stunning views are available from every corner of the villa with the opportunity to wake up with the sun and take in the views from the bathtub that seemingly floats above the valley.

Each villa also features a generous King-bedded room, indoor bathroom with shower, bathtub and His & Hers Vanity, as well as a spacious lounge with day bed for whiling away lazy afternoons. For cosy evenings, a flatscreen 40’ Apple TV offers a selection of documentaries of ‘old Bali’ as well as movies and music.

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The first hotel to be awarded Palace status in France, Le Bristol Paris, is now the place to enjoy a drink in Paris following the opening of the beautiful Le Bar du Bristol. Designed by architect Pierre-Yves Rochon and Mrs Maja Oetker, Le Bar du Bristol, with its classical and modern décor, is already welcoming customers from Paris and around the world to its famous home in Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré. Le Bar du Bristol exudes timeless elegance, with a glass roof at the entrance, a mural fresco by French artist Thierry Bruet representing a lush garden, and the authentic Aubusson tapestry by Charles Pinçon dating back to 1740 which decorates the bar walls and depicts a Chinese garden with slender pagodas in the distance and a peacock in the foreground.
The atmosphere in the bar itself, which is closed off with thick silk curtains for greater intimacy, evokes old English clubs, with a wooden floor made from Versailles oak and magnificent panelling that is over 100 years old and made of natural pine from Esher in Surrey. Two bookcases flank the 19th century fireplace, which is made of marble from Sienna in Italy.

Furnishings in the bar include beautifully-made ochre-coloured winged armchairs, duck-egg-blue wall seats made by the prestigious Venetian company Rubelli, the small English Petworth Chairs in red and blue Italian leather and leopard-effect fabric produced by the silk manufacture Le Manach for the Giacometti stools from the House of Porto Romana. There are also touches of red leather for the bar stools and an imposing double-sided couch in the centre of the room, continuing the modern yet timeless theme.

Every evening, behind the panelled bar with its long top made of golden-coloured granite from Montana, a huge mirror becomes a screen reflected in the 18th century French mirror hanging opposite over the fireplace. Bottles of alcohol, carefully chosen for their exceptional qualities by Head Barman Maxime Hoerth are displayed in their purpose-made bottle holder, with smaller bottles of prestigious alcohols being displayed in the showcases that make up the lower half of the bookcase.

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Why Seattle has a reputation as a rainy city is beyond me. Every time I have visited this exciting hi-tech city the sun has shone into its tree lined streets. Home to Boeing, Starbucks and Microsoft this is a thriving city. Sometimes I am brought up short by references to it as part of the ‘Pacific Rim’ area that so excite investors as it seems so ‘East Coast’ in so many ways. Tourism here flourishes, in part because of its rôle as a jump off point for so many cruise liners taking tourists up the West Coast into Alaskan and Canadian waters. This is a competitive market, and Vancouver fights hard to take the business away, but the new cruise dock maintains Seattle’s position as does the constant refurbishment of its many superb hotels.Among the latest to refurbish is Kimpton’s Monaco, with the refurbishment completed in May 2012. My tour in August 2012 was opportune timewise, catching the hotel still fresh but at ease with the refurbishment. The scheme was developed by local designers Dawson Design Associates, based in Pioneer Square a short walk from the hotel. Of course no walk in Seattle can be done without going uphill – my companion pointed out that wearing high heels meant her feet were actually horizontal going uphill. Yeah, and downhill they do what?

Walking anywhere in Seattle is a delight, with cross streets steeply raked down to the harbour giving views across Puget Sound and its busy water traffic. Building and redevelopment carries on throughout Seattle and across the road from the Monaco is the remarkable bulk of the new (2004) Central Library, designed by Rem Koolhaas of OMA, making this junction of Spring and 4th Avenue totally unmissable. The Monaco is itself housed in a tall building – well this is the USA, right – housing 189 guestrooms and suites.

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts is delighted to announce the opening of the 176-room Mövenpick Hotel Ankara, a new contemporary hotel based in the heart of the Turkish capital’s fast-developing Söğütözü business district, ideally located for meetings, seminars or conferences. With nine meeting spaces including the stylish 390 sqm Bern Ballroom, Mövenpick Hotel Ankara offers flexible function spaces that can be customised to host between eight and 450 guests. The hotel is just 500 metres from the biggest convention and exhibition centre in Ankara, the newly opened 80,000 sqm Congresium, and next door to the prestigious five-storey, 155-store Armada Shopping Mall, a winner of the “Best Shopping Mall of the Year” voted by the International Council of Shopping Centres.Just 30km from the city’s international airport, the district is rapidly becoming a business base for global companies such as EON, BP and Oracle as well as home to Turkish government ministries, cutting edge medical facilities, ambitious media companies and luxurious residential developments.

“Ankara’s success as an international business hub is helping to shape Turkey’s reputation as a global economic powerhouse,” says Ola Ivarsson, chief operating officer for Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts in Europe. “The city is the perfect location for our third hotel in Turkey after openings in Istanbul and Izmir and a great demonstration of our confident international growth. The combination of a convenient business location and the reputation for Swiss reliability, care and authentic warm welcome that Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts brings to the hotel are certain to ensure it will be a great success,” said Enis Pekuysal, president of Varan Otelcilik A.S., the owning company of the property.

The Mövenpick Hotel Ankara is a welcome addition to the 21st century skyscraper success of Söğütözü, offering a bold architectural statement of its own. The design of the hotel reflects the curved shape of Turkey’s famous Nazar Boncuğu – the eye-shaped amulet traditionally worn to ward off evil – with a 12-storey central atrium and glass ceiling that floods the hotel with natural light. Despite the confident contemporary feel there are motifs and materials that reference traditional influences from the Turkish marble swirling around the spacious floors of public areas to the enormous glittering lobby chandelier created from hundreds of handmade crystal balls, a reminder of the country’s proud glass-making heritage. Large flat-screen televisions, glass partitioned bathrooms and stunning city views are signatures of many of the superior rooms, while the dedicated Executive Floors on the 11th and 12thfloors offer exclusive access to an Executive Lounge, terrace, meeting room, complimentary snacks and drinks and private check in. The hotel’s wellness and fitness centre includes four massage rooms, a Turkish ‘hammam’ bath, sauna, indoor plunge pool, whirlpool and cardio fitness zone. International spa classics as well as Turkish treatments are available.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has recently announced the opening of the Sheraton Fuzhou Hotel in Fuzhou’s newly built, modern business district in China’s Fujian province. The hotel is owned by the Zhonggeng Group, and the introduction of the Sheraton brand to this vibrant, bustling port city represents Starwood’s vigorous expansion plan in China, extending its footprint to gateway cities as well as emerging markets across the nation. The Sheraton brand’s impressive global pipeline is being fuelled by phenomenal demand in China with 12 new Sheraton hotels slated to open across this fast-growing market by year’s end driven by strong demand in second and third tier cities.Sheraton Fuzhou Hotel fulfills a growing demand for upscale accommodations among business travelers, MICE planners, and convention participants. Situated in the heart of Fuzhou’s newly developed commercial district, the hotel is conveniently located beside China’s largest exhibition center, the Cross-Straits International Conference
and Exhibition Centre, on the banks of the Minjiang River. Sheraton Fuzhou Hotel also offers easy access to the city’s transportation network. It is about 8 kilometers from the Fuzhou South Railway Station, 14 kilometers from the Fuzhou Railway Station, and 45 kilometers from Fuzhou Changle International Airport.

Sheraton Fuzhou Hotel boasts 396 exquisitely appointed rooms and suites comprised of Deluxe, Premier, River-view and upgraded Club Room categories and offering a full range of amenities, including the plush, all-white Sheraton Sweet Sleeper® bed, designed using the AAA Five Diamond Award® criteria, high speed internet access, and luxurious bath and body products. The heart of the lobby features the Link@Sheraton® experienced with Microsoft®- a social hub in the lobby providing complimentary WiFi and PC workstations so guests can surf the internet, email loved ones, review local attractions and print boarding passes while on the road. Guests can also indulge in signature spa treatments at Shine Spa for Sheraton and keep fit through the brand’s revolutionary new health and fitness program, Sheraton FitnessSM programmed by Core Performance, designed exclusively for Sheraton guests through its partner Core Performance.

Three restaurants provide a range of world class cuisine. Feast®, the Sheraton brand’s signature all day dining restaurant, indulges guests with international favorites, while Yue® Chinese restaurant specializes in authentic Cantonese fare, focusing on locally sourced and
sustainably produced ingredients. Japanese restaurant Miyabi showcases the freshest foods in an innovative Japanese style. The comfortable Lobby Lounge serves refreshing cocktails, premium spirits, and freshly brewed coffee – an ideal venue for relaxing and socializing with colleagues or family members.

The hotel’s 4,200 square meters of function space includes a 1,800 square meter pillar-free Grand Ballroom that can be separated into three individual rooms and 17 other meeting and conference rooms, ranging from 48 to 400 square meters in size.

Where do you want to go next? For many, the answer this year will undoubtedly be Baku. As football fans worldwide look forward to the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup this Autumn, and the country’s first Four Seasons now welcoming guests, the capital of Azerbaijan is clearly marked on the world map. What was once a well-kept secret among oil industry executives who did business in the region in the past century, it is now attracting the interest of a much broader range of travellers. With its recent hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest, rich cultural history and vibrant arts scene, designer shopping, developing wine industry, ever-changing skyline and pulsing nightlife, as well as the business opportunities that continue to emerge in the country’s post-Soviet era, people from all over the world are now making their way to the city by the Caspian Sea.

Located on the promenade on the shores of the Caspian Sea in the Azeri capital, Four Seasons Hotel Baku offers the city’s finest accommodation in 171 rooms and suites, four restaurants and bars including the high-style Kaspia and Kaspia Bar, the exclusive enclave of the Jaleh Spa and Pool, lavish meeting spaces, and the signature service of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. The Beaux Arts-style Four Seasons Hotel Baku is the first in Azerbaijan, and the 90th property in the company’s worldwide portfolio of hotels and resorts.