Hotel Designs

Hilton Hotels & Resorts has recently expanded its global portfolio to 80 countries with the opening of Hilton Doha, its first hotel in Qatar. The new visually stunning 309-room Hilton Doha is ideally located on the headland of the capital city’s prestigious Corniche and boasts a number of leading features including a 750-capacity ballroom, a dedicated conference wing and the first eforea: spa at Hilton in the Middle East.

The hotel also features seven state-of-the-art meeting rooms, six restaurants and bars, an outdoor swimming pool, a kids club, a private beach and a view of the Arabian Gulf from every bedroom. Hilton Doha will also open Qatar’s very first Trader Vic’s bar and restaurant.

Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts said: “With so many new striking features, Hilton Doha is set to become an exceptional example of the high standards, quality and unrivalled experience guests expect from Hilton. Our brand is recognised for entering new markets and successfully creating landmark products that appeal to both leisure and business travellers. Hilton Doha continues this legacy and this is an exciting milestone for us.”

The hotel is a convenient 15-minute drive from the airport and near to the heart of Doha’s upscale commercial, retail and diplomatic district, including the famous Souq Waqif and Museum of Islamic Art.

Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Hilton Worldwide, Middle East & Africa said: “We have worked hard to create a world class hotel to best reflect Qatar’s growing ambitions to be a major global player. It’s no secret that Doha is set to become an important sporting and cultural Middle East hub and we’re looking forward to bringing the Hilton brand’s trademark hospitality and service to such an exciting and motivated city community.”

UK

GBPUSD opened the week’s trading at 1.6071, with the Greek situation creating a flight to quality, sterling performed well against a strong USD reaching a high of 1.6123 before eventually closing at 1.6107. The GBPUSD could track higher tomorrow if the Bank of England highlight an improved outlook for the U.K in the inflation report.GBPEUR again hit new three and a half year highs topping out at 1.2556. The resistance of 1.25 that proved quite solid over the past week should now act as support as this pair moves into a new trading range. Without news sparking a retrace market chatter suggests that 1.2658 is the next target.

Sterling has appreciated 4% this year, the most among 10 developed-market peers. Strategists have boosted their year-end forecasts for the pound against the euro by 3.6% in 2012.
UK trade data this morning showed a slight narrowing in the trade deficit but market reaction was muted ahead of tomorrow’s BoE Inflation Report.

Shares in Hampshire based commercial currency printing firm De La Rue soared as investors expect a surge in printing if the Greeks revert to the Drachma.
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WORLDWIDE

EURUSD opened the week’s trading at 1.2885, briefly moving to its day high of 1.2904 before taking a significant drop to the low of the day at 1.2824, a low not seen since late January this year.

This morning German Q1 GDP surprised to the upside printing at 0.5% versus 0.1% expected, this helped to lift EUR/USD above the 1.2850 level in early morning European trade. Focus remains on Athens as politicians there continue to negotiate to form a working coalition government.

Germany’s higher-than-expected GDP helped the combined Eurozone GDP figure to remain flat at 0.0% when the markets had anticipated a contraction of 0.2%.

Through this past session, we were reminded of the constant pressure that rests on the euro’s shoulders through headlines and political comments after the European Finance Ministers meeting on Monday evening reported that the topic of a Greek exit was not discussed along with the warning that no alterations to the program would be entertained.

The contrasting political commentary that we have seen this week was rewarded with a vote of no confidence from the market after we saw both Spanish and Italian bond auctions drawing higher yields.

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said yesterday, “Europe’s fiscal pact for tougher budget rules can’t be changed and French President Elect Francois Hollande should know it’s a done deal.” Today Hollande is due to meet Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has lobbied hard to install tougher budget rules in Europe in a bid to get the area’s sovereign debt crisis under control.

Ireland is “very hopeful” that Germany and France will help frame pro-growth measures for Europe’s troubled economy, Ireland’s Deputy Finance Minister Brian Hayes said yesterday. An agreement on a “pro-growth” agenda in Europe will help Ireland’s coalition government convince Irish voters to support the EU treaty in the May 31 public vote.

Commodity currencies such as the CAD, NOK and NZD continued to trade under pressure as concerns Greece may be the first member state to exit the euro drove investors to risk aversion. While commodity currencies suffer the fate of commodity prices they are also linked to market liquidity. The more illiquid markets suffer in times of risk aversion.

According to the newly-released minutes of the last RBA meeting, the reasoning behind the 50bp surprise rate cut move focused on the need to get borrowing costs lower for the “community” as major local banks had been edging rates higher in recent months. GBPAUD fell from 1.6130 to 1.6080 after the minutes were released, this pair has moved from a low of 1.4547 this weeks high of 1.6152 in less than 3 months.

The use of colour in interiors has, of course, never really gone away. There has been an emphasis on ‘minimalism’ that has not really been minimalist, simply bleak. Minimalism was all about balancing empty against intense, purity of shape and form and a specific kind of aesthetic. In hotels it was reduced to cheap – less is less as it were.

Now an era of colour and pattern is upon us, with the digitisation of the production of wallpapers and fabrics allowing full creative freedom for designers. There is a return of the idea that hotel interiors should create drama, and a sense of place (as well as a return to sixties designs unfortunately).Lighting is changing rapidly, partly because of concerns about energy consumption, and the introduction of LED lighting is becoming a game changer. This gives a freedom to the designer and a purity of light almost unknown before. As the cost and rarity both disappear from the equation, the LED will become the dominant format and hotel energy bills will plummet. The ability to paint with light combined with digitally dyed carpets and digitally printed wallpapers and fabrics gives an unprecedented freedom to designers.

Like all freedom however, it comes with a set of rules. Colour and light can change the perception of space, and in an attempt to nail down ‘advancing’ or ‘recessive’ colour, and to see how lighting can change depth perception I knocked up a little ‘light modulator’.

The ‘modulator’ had movable partitions, into which I could project light, whether white or coloured, to see the effects it had on the perception of space. By photographing onto slides (which were scanned for this article) I was able to project the imagery and play with it, as I shall explain.

Centrally located on London’s vibrant South Bank, the luxury 5 star London Marriott Hotel, County Hall has breathtaking views of many of London’s famous sights, including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Palace of Westminster. The view is the envy of many London hotels and now that Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar has opened (April 2012), the hotel can boast a bar and restaurant to rival the very best in the capital. Here you can enjoy the very best English steak in a traditional English building, surrounded by unique English furnishings and art.

Working closely with head designer Angie Newby-Stubbs of Blacksheep, interior contractor and furniture supplier Andy Thornton successfully delivered the decorative interior package. The company worked to concept drawings and a detailed brief from the designers, arranging inspections at the Andy Thornton workshops and providing samples for approval at every stage of the manufacturing process.

Centrepiece in the main bar area is an elegant cocktail bar, supplied by Andy Thornton, which features an illuminated bar counter in specially sourced ‘book-matched’ granite with a zinc bar top. The back fitting comprises of an ornate solid brass drinks gantry with open glazed shelving and four antique mirrors to effectively display the impressive selection of spirits. Underneath are specially manufactured stainless steel clad base units and stainless steel worktop.

Directly in front of the bar is a circular seating area, defined by four bespoke high wing-back curved deep button-backed sofas set around a circular patterned carpet. These have been upholstered in mustard leather to complement the carpet. Andy Thornton also supplied lounge chairs, tubs and coffee tables all manufactured specially to Blacksheep specifications.
To the sides of the foyer entrance, Andy Thornton installed brass-framed cloak cupboards with silvered mirrored doors and a brass clad wine display feature. There is also a free standing greeter station by the riverside entrance and a curved reception counter close to the restaurant.

In the restaurant the focal point is the Cheese & Chutney servery, which incorporates a mirrored counter and bespoke granite worktop and a display gantry in brass with decorative spinnings. Around the restaurant Andy Thornton also supplied three free-standing waiter stations in veneered oak with granite tops and mirrored splash backs.

Sumptuous leather Chesterfields fill the restaurant and bar, including one at nine metres in length, specially made with a slight radius to fit against the curved back wall. These are matched with a mix of bespoke side chairs, again manufactured to Blacksheep designs and upholstered in premium colour-dyed leathers with contrasting piping to give a contemporary feel. Cast iron table bases are matched with a mix of marble, oak and zinc clad tops. One feature table is 2.2 metres in diameter, accommodating ten private diners.

Angie Newby-Stubbs of Blacksheep commented: “From the inception of this project Andy Thornton have delivered on every level, from initial design discussions on the bespoke furniture to site delivery. All members of the team are professional and a delight to work with. Working in such close partnership has meant that this project was delivered to the highest standards expected not only of Blacksheep but also the client, Marriott International.”

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has recently announced that a newly renovated 80-room Holiday Inn Express in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is expected to open this month. The property will showcase the brand’s new sign, which is the seal of approval that this hotel exemplifies the standards of the $1 billion Holiday Inn brand re-launch program.

“More than $1.5 million will be invested to convert this property (from a Comfort Inn to a Holiday Inn Express) and we are looking forward to the end result,” said Umesh Vaidya, general manager. “Holiday Inn Express is modern, fresh, clean and uncomplicated and a perfect fit for Harrisburg, PA.

Guests at the Holiday Inn Express Harrisburg-Hershey will experience a comfortable and smart environment with innovative preferred guest upgrades to ensure a productive stay while travelling for business or leisure. The hotel’s newly enhanced complimentary Express Start® breakfast bar will feature a full range of breakfast items including a rotation of egg and meat selections, biscuits, yogurt, fruit and the brand’s proprietary cinnamon roll and Smart Roast® coffee. The SimplySmart™ shower incorporates a proprietary Stay Smart™ Kohler showerhead, signature shower curtain with curved rod, upgraded 100 percent cotton terry towels and a custom line of cinnamon-scented bath products. Guests will enjoy the SimplySmart™ bedding collection where they will find new crisp fresh bedding which features an attractive decorative throw, a medium-weight duvet blanket and soft 200 thread-count sheets.

The newly renovated property offers a variety of amenities such as indoor heated pool w/ whirlpool, business centre. Standard Holiday Inn Express guest rooms feature comfortable queen or king-sized beds, a sitting area with a lounge chair and an in-room coffee machine featuring complimentary Smart Roast 100% Arabica coffee. Business travellers will find large desks with ergonomic chairs, free high-speed internet access and free local phone and toll free (U.S. and Canada only), phones with private voicemail and complimentary USA TODAY® newspapers.

The Holiday Inn Express-Harrisburg-Hershey is owned and managed by 44 Linglestown Associates LLC., under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.

UK

On Friday, UK PPI Input Month on month came out worst then expected at -1.5% against a forecast of -0.9% with output PPI rising 0.7% against 0.4%
GBPUSD started Friday’s session trading at 1.6123 before seeing a sharp drop mid-afternoon to the low of the day at 1.6066. After a brief spell back over 1.61 in afternoon trading the pair fell back again and is currently trading around 1.6060. A close below support at 1.6050 will confirm the drop towards 1.58 but there will be strong support on the way at the 1.60 level.In early morning trade on Friday we saw GBPEUR break the high again to hit the highest level since Nov 2008 at 1.25039 but failed to break through support, closing the day at 1.2469, today markets have opened around 1.2470 and we can expect another attempt at breaking this 1.25 barrier significantly.
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Today is the last day that Greece can form a coalition government before being forced to hold another election in June. As mentioned last week, anti-bailout party Syriza are now leading polls and senior ECB officials are now openly discussing a Greek exit from the euro.

Greece also announced a €9.1bn deficit In Q1 2012 versus €7.37bn last year.

Euro finance ministers meet today and will discuss the international bailout for Greece as well as the situation in Spain, where the government last week made a fourth attempt to clean up the country’s banks. Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy announced plans to require the country’s banks to set aside an extra €35bn against bad loans made to its collapsing construction sector, on top of the €54bn they have already provisioned this year.

Political unrest has spread to Germany, with Angela Merkel’s party losing the most populous state and showing they are also being hit by the austerity backlash.

The US Producer Price Index was expected to show a flat 0.0% change but data showed a -0.2% decline in the price of finished goods and services. Expectations for next month data is even worse due to the recent slide in oil prices. Preliminary University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment came out at the highest level since 2008 at 77.8 versus an expected 76.2.

EURUSD traded at a high of 1.2956 on Friday but has traded downwards since and is currently trading at a low of 1.2875 morning. With the pair having broken well clear of the resistance at 1.3000 the next key target is the January low of 1.2620, a close below strong support around 1.28 will accelerate the decline.

On Friday, Canadian employment change came out positively showing a 82.3k gain which was way up from an expected forecast of 11.3k.

China eased monetary policy on Saturday when it the reduced banks’ reserve requirements by 50 basis points. This is the third time in six months where the central bank reduces the reserve requirements. The cut is a signal that the government is expecting growth to slow and wants to support and stimulate their economy now, we can expect further measures in the future.

Eurozone Industrial Production figures just released showed a bigger than expected fall in March. The annualized figure of -2.2% was lower than the -1.2% markets were expecting to see.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has recently announced the debut of The St. Regis Doha as the St. Regis brand continues its dynamic global growth and nearly triples its portfolio in just five years. Owned by Resorts Development Company and developed by Alfardan Group, The St. Regis Doha is Qatar’s first St. Regis hotel and ideally located within Doha’s newest waterfront destination at Al Gassar Resort. The hotel features 336 luxuriously-appointed guest rooms, including 70 elegant suites and two Presidential suites, all offering breath-taking views of the Arabian Gulf. As the finest address in Doha, the hotel is centrally located between the city’s cultural heritage sites and its emerging commercial hub. The hotel’s distinctive architecture showcases the contemporary design fused with traditional Arabic touches, an impressive addition to the city’s skyline.

Exquisite Culinary Experiences
The St. Regis Doha offers 10 distinctive culinary and lounge experiences featuring some of the world’s most renowned chefs, including Gordon Ramsay, where Michelin-starred chef Gilles Bosquet will create sumptuous selections developed and influenced by the renowned Chef Ramsay in an elegant setting inspired by an English manor house and the famed Hakkasan which will bring authentic yet contemporary Cantonese cuisine to Doha when it opens later this year.

Luxury Leisure and the first Remede Spa in the Middle East
The St. Regis Doha offers 16,000 square metres of luxury leisure facilities, including the first Remède Spa in the Middle East, which provides the ultimate indulgence within tranquil surroundings. The spa features 22 treatment rooms, making it one of the largest and finest spas in Doha. The hotel also offers an ultra-modern fitness centre, an Olympic-size swimming pool and a private beach with 10 beachfront cabanas. The St. Regis Doha also features 4,000 square metres of state-of-the-art meeting, event and conference space, including one of the largest ballrooms in Doha.

SOURCE: Starwood Hotels & Resorts

With more than 350 hotels all across the world, the Spanish Meliá Hotels International chain has now signed a lease agreement on a fifth hotel in Dusseldorf, which will open its doors in the middle of next year. The new four-star superior hotel, which will be operated by the Innside by Meliá design brand, will be located inside the eye-catching Colorium building in the popular Medienhafen area of the city – also the capital of the Federal State of North Rhine Westphalia.The landmark building at Speditionstrasse with its 17 levels and 62 metres in height was designed by the British star architect William Allen Alsop for a private investor, and is one of the symbols of the new en vogue quarter, not only because of its extraordinary shape. A façade, comprising more than 2,000 colourful glass panels, was hung in front of it displaying a mixture of full-colour spaces and differentiated four-colour elements. The most spectacular feature is the signal-red technology level on the top floor protruding above the port basin and which is illuminated at night. A trendy Innside Skybar & Lounge has been planned which will not only spoil hotel guests with culinary treats, but also provide fantastic views of the port and the city centre that is only a few minutes away on foot.

A total of 134 extremely stylish rooms and suites as well as two state-of-the-art conference rooms spread across floors 5 to 14 and the ground floor. The Colorium’s floors that are not occupied by the hotel contain office rooms as well as the innovation showrooms of a major mobile phone provider or a fashion label and the Dusseldorf branch of a media academy.

Kai Lamlé, head of Meliá Hotels International in Germany, headquartered in Ratingen, is happy about the spectacular new hotel in the old city port, which has turned into a new hub for art, communication and creativity. Many of the resident companies appreciate the area’s image as an architectural attraction and are happy to benefit from it: “Our lifestyle Innside brand and the Colorium in the Medienhafen area fit perfectly together when it comes to their creative standards, offering business and city travellers both a fancy environment and an exciting interior.” Planning and realisation of the hotel conversion will be carried out under the successful auspices of Kai 18 Projekte GmbH in Düsseldorf, which was also responsible for the project development, planning and realisation of the Innside hotel in Duesseldorf-Derendorf that opened in 2008.

eforea: spa at Hilton continues its rapid global expansion with the opening of its first location in the Middle East. Located at Hilton Doha in Qatar, the 600-square-meter eforea: spa at Hilton offers an exclusive treatment menu, innovative design features and carefully selected product partners that appeal to today’s savvy global travellers.The new, visually stunning 309-room Hilton Doha, the first hotel in Qatar for Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Worldwide, is ideally located on the headland of the capital city’s prestigious Corniche. The hotel boasts a number of leading features, including: a 750-seat capacity ballroom, a dedicated conference wing, views of the Arabian Gulf from every bedroom, and six restaurants and bars, including the country’s first Trader Vic’s bar and restaurant.

The eforea: spa at Hilton location has been created with a blend of Arabesque design details and a contemporary, light finish to invite guests to “emerge brighter,” the brand promise of eforea. The spa features five multi-purpose treatment rooms and one Thai massage and meditation room as well as one couples’ suite with a steam rasul and one single suite with a steam rasul, providing a complete exfoliation experience. In addition, the spa boasts an extensive thermal lounge that includes a traditional sauna, two aroma steam experiences, a hydro pool, ice chute and two experience showers with aroma and colour lighting. The thermal lounge experience also opens to the spa garden.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has recently announced it will open its first dual-branded ski resort complex in Changbaishan, China later this year. The Westin Changbaishan and Sheraton Changbaishan Resort will open in August 2012, adjacent to the slopes of Changbai Mountains, one of Chinas leading ski areas. The highly anticipated resort complex will lengthen Starwoods lead as the largest international luxury and upper upscale hotel operator in China.The Westin and Sheraton resort complex is close to Yingfu Expressway and just six miles to Changbaishan Airport (NBS). Known for its breathtaking natural beauty, the Changbai mountain range extends through several countries and is home to 200 animal and bird species. Guests will enjoy downhill on trails surrounded by unspoiled pine forests, as well as ice skating and ice fishing.

The Westin Changbaishan Resort

Offering ski-in/ski-out access, The Westin Changbaishan Resort will inspire well-being with breathtaking mountain views, world-class dining, a Westin Kids Club, signature Heavenly® Spa and an indoor swimming pool. All 257 guestrooms will be equipped with the world-renowned Westin Heavenly® Bed featuring lush sheets, down cushioning and a patented pillow-top mattress, which cradles and contours to the body for complete comfort. Another industry first, the Heavenly® Bath creates an invigorating spa-like experience, enhanced with the brands Heavenly® Shower, Heavenly® Robe and exclusive White Tea Aloe bath amenities. In-room, high-speed Internet access and an ergonomic work space will offer travelers convenience and productivity in a tranquil setting.

Sheraton Changbaishan Resort

Sheraton Changbaishan Resort will offer 296 guest rooms and suites with mountain or ski views, as well as a Sheraton Club lounge and Sheraton Club rooms with upgraded amenities. The heart of the lobby will feature the Link@Sheraton® experienced with Microsoft® a social hub where connections, whether face-to-face or webcam-to-webcam, take place. All guest rooms will be equipped with an oversized work desk, custom-designed ergonomic chair, high-speed Internet, LCD flat panel television, MP3 docking station and the all-white Sheraton Sweet Sleeper® bed, designed to meet AAAs Five Diamond Award® criteria.

Additional amenities will include a full-service restaurant and lounge, spa, indoor heated swimming pool, and fully equipped fitness facility featuring the brands revolutionary new health and fitness program, Sheraton Fitness programmed by Core Performance”, designed exclusively for Sheraton guests through its partner Core Performance.

Ideal for meetings of all sizes, as well as social functions and weddings, the resort complex will offer more than 37,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space including a 13,362 square-foot ballroom and a spacious pre-function space.

Source: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

There’s just five working days to go to discover, share and learn about the current boutique hotel marketplace with the professionals behind some of today’s most successful brands. We look forward to welcoming confirmed delegates from USA, Dubai, Qatar, Hong Kong, Ghana, Lebanon, Switzerland, France and other European countries.173 Delegates already confirmed including representatives from Patron Capital, Sanguine Hospitality, Jebel Ali International Hotels, HVS, Diamond Resorts International, Cooper Feldman, American Express, Tzell, Briscoe and Shaw, ESPA, Watergate Bay, Mr and Mrs Smith, Sands Hotel, Hotel Verta, Swire Hotels, Hotel TerraVina, Rhombus Group, Swisscom, Boutique Hotel News, Red Carnation Hotels, The Highland Group, Rooms Service, Lowy Hotels, Moore Stephens, Howard Kennedy, Luxmere, Hotel Indigo, SKYWare Hospitality, Berns Hotels, Morgans Hotels, AvailPro, STR Global, HVS, IDeaS Revenue Solutions, TravelZoo, WATG, Janus et Cie, Yahoo! Cardola, Yoo, Google, ABTA, Hotel Chocolat, Ultimate Library, Living Social, Marriott, TRI Hospitality, Dukes Hotel, Flemings Hotel and lots more.

Will you be part of this month’s Boutique Hotel Summit? Limited to a maximum of 200 delegates. Click here to read more.

The 2012 programme features Analysis, Case Studies and panel sessions featuring top Boutique and Lifestyle hoteliers and service providers covering everything from Finance, Distribution, Marketing, Mobile, PR, Press, Social Media, General Management, Market Research, Spa, Art and Design and More.

If you missed the 2011 inaugural conference, don’t make the same mistake twice – just 27 tickets available now.

To secure yours, please visit www.boutiquehotelsummit.com. See you there!

A 310-room oceanfront Hard Rock Hotel and Casino will be the latest addition to Aruba’s growing portfolio of luxury accommodation.Scheduled to open in 2014, the 75-million pound hotel will be located right outside Oranjestad, Aruba’s capital, and is set to dramatically change the beach landscape of the island.

The brand new property will be built on the ruins of the abandoned Bushiri Hotel, which has not been operating for nearly a decade and whose demolition will be completed by the end of the year. The Aruba Hard Rock Hotel and Casino will cover a total area of 28,619 square metres and will have a maximum height of seven floors.

It will feature eco-friendly, sustainable energy construction elements such as reflecting roofs against the heat, systems to collect rainwater, seawater swimming pools and the use of indigenous plants that can stand Aruba’s dry climate.

The coastline will be improved as a public beach with upgraded facilities for beachgoers, while the premises will also include a training facility for catering.

Hard Rock currently has twelve hotels worldwide, seven of which are under construction, in locations as varied as the Mayan Riviera, Doha and Atlantic City.

Already home to some of the world’s most prestigious hotel chains (including Hyatt, The Westin, Radisson and Marriott), Aruba will also welcome an exclusive Ritz-Carlton resort in October 2013.

Provenance Hotels of Portland and Woodbine Development Corporation of Dallas today announced their joint acquisition of The Governor Hotel in Portland from The Royal Bank of Scotland for an undisclosed purchase price. Provenance, an expert in the region’s boutique hotel market, will become operator of the hotel, effective immediately. Woodbine will serve as developer and asset manager for the partnership, which plans to update/renovate the hotel and transition it into the Provenance Hotels collection. Acquisition financing is being provided by Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Holdings, LLC. Hunt Realty Investments, Inc., Woodbine’s financial partner, also is participating in the capitalization of the project.The landmark, 100-room hotel between 10th and 11th avenue in downtown Portland features almost 23,000 square feet of function space, including a 10,000-square-foot grand ballroom, and the popular Jake’s Grill. A true Pacific Northwest architectural treasure, The Governor is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features elegant historic aesthetics, spacious guest rooms and dramatic penthouse suites with open-air rooftop terraces.

The purchase of The Governor is the first joint endeavor for Provenance and Woodbine, the seventh property under Provenance management and the 12th hotel in Woodbine’s development/asset management project portfolio. Both companies bring extensive experience in historic renovations to The Governor repositioning project.

“We are thrilled to partner with Woodbine to acquire this landmark property and delighted to continue to expand Provenance’s presence in our hometown,” said Bashar Wali, President of Provenance. “We see fantastic opportunities in both this asset and the overall Portland market and look forward to charting an exciting new path for The Governor.”

CBRE’s Chris Burdett and Matthew Behrens marketed the hotel for The Royal Bank of Scotland, and Woodbine was selected from multiple buyers in late 2011 to begin negotiations. The acquisition effort was led by Gordon Sondland, chairman and CEO of Provenance, and Dupree Scovell, who recently launched Woodbine’s West Coast investment/acquisition platform in Los Angeles.

“Provenance’s local market knowledge and expertise in boutique hotel renovations, combined with Woodbine’s nearly 40-year history of hospitality development and investment, have come together to create a dynamic team that can take this magnificent historic property to new levels,” Scovell said.

Sondland added: “As a Portland-grown company and long-time investor in the local community, we are delighted to collaborate with the highly skilled hospitality team at Woodbine, and together we will provide exemplary stewardship of The Governor.”

Provenance and Woodbine are assembling the repositioning/renovation team and will announce a project schedule at a later date.

UK

The BoE refrained from providing a further cash boost to the recession-struck UK economy as the decision was apparently weighed down by higher inflation. The 9 member MPC left the size of the QE program unchanged at £325bn, marking an end to the second round of stimulus.Manufacturing output grew a more-than-expected 0.9% from February, led by the sharp improvement in production of chemical and transport equipment. But, the increase was insufficient to lift industrial production.

The UK economy grew 0.1% in the three months to the end of April after falling into recession in the first quarter, but it is likely to be flat for the next six months, a key economic research institute said yesterday.

GBPEUR hit a session high of 1.2492 after the MPC left the size of QE unchanged, this 50 pip jump from 1.2442 happened in under 10 minutes. Today the pair has started the trading session around 1.2450, a break above 1.2493 is the next key target to close for further upside potential.

GBPUSD received a similar boost yesterday, climbing up before hitting a session high of 1.6182 having hit a session low of 1.6091 in the morning yesterday, markets have opened today around 1.6105. The range has shifted lower now and next week could see another test of the support at the psychological barrier of 1.60.

UK PPI Input m/m dropped to -1.5% its lowest level since 2009, PPI output was slightly better than forecast at 0.7%. The biggest news to emerge from this data was that construction output for Q1 has been revised lower, which squashes any hope of an improved revision on the negative UK GDP figure released in April.
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WORLDWIDE

More worrying headline news for the euro from Greece, the first polls since Sundays elections showed a dramatic rise in support for anti-bailout party Syriza, indicating the far left party would win enough seats to win the election in June if the current sentiment persists. While the PASOK party still try to form a pro-bailout coalition to keep the country in the euro, the support has shifted significantly now. If Greece do elect Syriza then it is almost certain they will exit from the Euro. Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras yesterday declared the current financial agreement with the EU invalid.

The whole Eurozone lost a crucial lifeline yesterday as China’s biggest sovereign wealth fund announced it will no longer buy any more European government debt.

Analysts do not think that the measures announced by Spain’s government today to shore up its banking system will be enough. Announcement of a new banking reform in Spain will receive attention today.

The OECD leading index showed the German and British economies at a turning point and likely to gain momentum over the next six months. While the US and Japan are showing stronger positive signals.

Industrial production in France contracted 0.9% over the month of March. However, French manufacturing production surprisingly gained 1.4% in March, exceeding forecasts of a 0.2% drop. This mixed set up of data has created uncertainty and doesn’t bode well for sentiment.
Norges Bank surprised no one yesterday, and left its key policy rate remain unchanged at 1.5%. The Norwegian Krone weakened dramatically to 9.48, its weakest level since 2010, other commodity led currencies suffered too as drops in oil prices and global growth concerns weigh on sentiment.

Despite the euro having a slightly better session against the US Dollar, the EURUSD struggled to break back over the 1.30 level having reached a high of 1.2981 and a low of 1.2926 yesterday. Today the markets have opened around the lower end of the range, currently residing around 1.2916. With strong resistance building around 1.30, the pair is expected to take a fresh run towards 1.2620, the low last seen in January.

With the value of imports increasing at a faster rate than the value of exports in the month of March, the US trade deficit widened by more than anticipated. Also released yesterday, the number of people applying for unemployment benefits dropped again last week after dropping sharply the previous week, there is now growing evidence that hiring in the US could pick up this month.
US stocks rose as investors sought bargains, believing stocks were oversold after the S & P dropped in 5 of the previous 6 sessions. This fall was caused by continual concerns over the political situation in Greece.

China risks a fresh downturn in demand with official data showing weaker than expected exports and stalling import growth last month. Annual growth in imports came in at 0.3% after n increase of 11% was forecasted.

After a positive start to Thursday AUD dropped off later in the day against both the USD and GBP. In fact GBPAUD broke back through the 1.60 barrier against GBP in the afternoon, reaching a 3 day low of 1.5929, this spell of strength was short lived and the pair is currently trading at around 1.6050 this morning.

Interestingly, The Reserve Bank of India urged all foreign exchange earners, including exporters, to convert 50% of their foreign exchange holdings into Indian rupee in an attempt to curb the recent plunge in the currency. This is like a public intervention rather than a more traditional government led intervention like we have seen in Japan.

Marriott Hotels & Resorts has announced plans to open a new 170-room Marriott Hotel in Cali in 2014, under an agreement with Real Hotels and Resorts, S.A. and Grupo Poma.Situated on the corner of Avenida 8 Norte and Calle 9 in the heart of Colonia Granada, the Marriott Cali Hotel will be located in one of Cali’s most desirable areas filled with restaurants, bars and shops.

In addition to 170 guest rooms and suites, the hotel will feature a casual dining restaurant, a sushi bar and a great room. The hotel will also have three different meeting spaces available including the 4,900 square foot ballroom. Recreational facilities include a swimming pool and a fitness center. Other amenities will include a concierge lounge, business center, gift shop and parking garage.

Marriott International is currently represented in Colombia by the 264-room JW Marriott Hotel Bogota and the 239-room Bogota Marriott Hotel. Marriott will open the 278-room Cartagena Marriott Hotel in 2015.

UK

David Cameron was quoted as saying the Liberal Democrats are “holding back” Conservative ambitions in areas including tax policy and reforming human rights law. This revelation came just hours before the governing coalition were due to set out their legislative program for the year yesterday.With no major UK data being released yesterday, traders focus was aimed towards the euro debt contagion issues; however this focus will be deterred today with the MPC Interest Rate meeting at midday, where no change in policy is expected.

GBPEUR spent the whole of yesterday’s trading session trading above the 1.24 levels, hitting a high of 1.2493 overnight, the strong resistance at just under 1.25 has caused the pair to fall back significantly and is currently residing around 1.2450.

GBPUSD traded within a 90 pip range yesterday, posting a high of 1.6156 in early morning trade to then trade at a low of 1.6063 shortly after Wall street opened their session. Cable is now trading around 1.6130, there is strong support in place at 1.61 but a close below this level could trigger further losses for sterling.

UK Manufacturing Production was released this morning at 9.30am, the data was slightly better than forecast, the month-on-month reading was 0.9% against the expected 0.4%. Also year-on-year figures beat expectations of -1.3% to post -0.9%.
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Greece are likely to face another election in early June as the nation’s parties appear unlikely to put together a coalition after splintered election results in Sunday’s parliamentary elections. In an unexpected turn of events, the Eurozone decided to withhold €1bn of its next bailout tranche to Greece, the remaining €4.2bn will be disbursed as planned today. Without this €1bn that is already accounted for, Greece face the possibility of not being able to meet their repayments and possibly default next month just before their second election.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday, in an apparent message to Greece that Eurozone members must stick to agreements and the rules of the region’s common currency.

Political uncertainty in Europe continued to put pressure on the euro, while also helping to send the Australian dollar toward parity versus its US counterpart as investors shied away from risk-oriented assets. AUDUSD dropped to its lowest level for 2012, trading at a low of 1.0019 yesterday.

The Polish Central Bank raised interest rates by 0.25% points after signalling the move last month. The Monetary Policy Council raised the benchmark seven-day intervention rate to 4.75%.

Home prices rose in more than half of US metropolitan areas in the first quarter of the year as the housing market showed signs of stability after nearly six years of price declines.

US wholesale inventories rose less than expected in March, held back by the biggest drop in petroleum stocks in nearly two years. Inventories rose 0.3% to $480.44bn, following an unrevised 0.9% jump the previous month, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

EURUSD traded the day within a 100 pip range for Wednesday, posting a high of 1.3004 and a low of 1.2909. The currency pair finding support from the 1.29 level and with strong resistance holding now just above and below 1.31.

Overnight Aussie employment data beats expectations across the board, bringing GBPAUD back below the 1.60 mark but looks to have now found some support around the 1.5940 mark.

Japanese Current Account data shows an increase from a forecast, however this figure still showed a decline from last month’s reading. The Japanese government continue to support their policy on intervention in the currency markets to control the value of Yen. Last month’s intervention only had a very limited and short lived effect though and traders are expecting stronger action at the end of May. Currently GBPJPY is trading around 128.55.

Marriott International has announced the opening of the Renaissance Barcelona Hotel, located just steps away from the Paseo de Gracia, the premier shopping and architectural district of Barcelona.In celebration of the grand opening, the Renaissance Barcelona Hotel last night hosted an exclusive event featuring a special musical performance by renowned Spanish artist, Rebeka. The performance was part of Renaissance Hotel’s RLife LIVE program, an entertainment and music platform that provides hotel guests and local patrons the chance to discover emerging and established artists on-site at Renaissance Hotels around the world.

The hotel, formerly known as The Diplomatic Hotel, has now reopened as the Renaissance Barcelona Hotel following total renovation. The hotel is centrally located near popular tourist attractions including the famed Hotel Gaudí, where guests can see firsthand the fascinating architecture of Palau Güell. Otherhistoric landmarks just minutes from the hotel include Plaza Catalunya, Las Ramblas, Boquería market and Barrio Gótico – the city’s Gothic Quarter.

Renaissance Hotels is known for encouraging guests to “Live Life to Discover” and get the most out of their travel experience. Earlier this month, the global lifestyle brand launched a new advertising / marketing campaign that encourages today’s business traveller to experience the hidden gems of each Renaissance hotel and to explore the destination with the help of Renaissance Hotels ‘Navigators’ — the brand’s hospitality lifestyle concierge service. The campaign asks traveller the question, “If you are travelling to a destination for business, why not make the most of your free time and discover something exceptional and unique.

An oasis of calm and wellness, the Renaissance Barcelona Hotel’s 211 modern and spacious guestrooms are appointed with signature room amenities including iPod docking stations and flat screen televisions. Stunning views of the Barcelona skyline can be taken in at La Terrassa, the hotel’s sun-drenched roof top bar and lounge featuring flowing waterfalls, while tantalizing dining options include the CRU Steak House and cosmopolitan CUIT Bar and Lounge.

Other highlights include a 24-hour fitness centre, business centre and seven unique facilities for meetings and events, each outfitted with modern technical and AV equipment.

UK

Yesterday, UK BRC Retail Sales Monitor data fell to -3.3% in April y/y. The April RICS House Price Balance also fell 19% versus an expected drop of 11%.GBPEUR held above the 1.24 level for much of the session yesterday. Hitting a low of 1.2386 early in the morning and touched a high of 1.2444 during the Asian session overnight. Possible further bad news on the horizon for Europe could push the pair to the top of the range at 1.25 in the coming sessions, only a close back under 1.2345 will relieve immediate pressure.

GBPUSD again traded within relatively thin trading ranges, hitting a low of 1.6124 and a high of 1.6165 during the last 24 hours trading.
Key support now comes in at 1.6075 and a break and close below this level will confirm and accelerate declines towards 1.5800 medium term. Any rallies look to be well capped at 1.6300.
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Continuing uncertainty in Greece following the elections is clearly weighing on the euro and the market reacted by seeing EURUSD drop below the 1.3000 level to hit a low of 1.2963 overnight. For the past 7 trading days, the EURUSD has steadily dropped, and with the current Greek political situation there is likely to be very little relief.

Today’s current account and trade balance reports may confirm more bad news and finally drive the EURUSD to close below 1.30 – opening the door for deeper setbacks over the coming days and weeks towards the 2012 lows from January at 1.2620.

In contrast to European politicians, the ECB has so far categorically rejected the possibility that a country can withdraw from the euro. Yesterday Jörg Asmussen, a ECB executive board member, broke with this line. He told the German newspaper Handelsblatt that Greece should be aware that there is no alternative to the agreed reform program if the country wants to remain a member of the euro zone.

Stronger than expected German data failed to lend any support to the euro. German Industrial Production was stronger than expected in March. Production rose 2.8% on the month, more than the -0.3% markets had expected. Europe’s largest economy remains its strongest, although Monday’s election results from France and Greece threaten to test Berlin’s mettle in demanding tough reforms across the Eurozone.

This morning, German exports and imports rose in March to their highest levels on record, widening the country’s current account surplus as the Trade Balance printed slightly above expectation.

Italian Banks’ ECB Borrowings increase to a record high in April. Total borrowing by Italian banks rose to €271bn from €270bn in March.
Bonds in the Eurozone periphery came under pressure, pushing yields higher. The yield on the Greek bond due 2023 was up nine basis points to 22.89%.

The NOK continues its rapid depreciation in spite of having much more solid economic backdrops than the EUR or the USD. Commodity currencies such as the CAD and NOK are vulnerable to the weaker oil price. For the time being these currencies will remain closely linked to global growth concerns rather than independent economic factors.

The RBA released its annual report, cutting its growth forecast for the present year to 3.0% from 3.5%, attributing the move to the likeliness of a slowdown in China, India and the EU economies, which will hit Australia’s exports sector. GBPAUD hit a high of 1.6047 overnight, the highest rate seen since November 2011.

RBNZ released their Financial Stability Report last night, Bollard mentioned the tools to control NZD appreciation are very limited and that he expects the NZD exchange rate to track with the competitiveness of their economy.

Canadian housing starts came in well ahead of expectations in April. Housing starts jumped 14% to an annual rate of 244,900 in April, expectations were for 204,000. GBPCAD traded between a low of 1.6063 and 1.6135 during the session and USDCAD dropped to parity for the first time in 3 weeks.

This new establishment is only a 3-hour flight away from the main European capitals and is the ideal place for a relaxing and revitalising break. Sofitel Agadir Thalassa is the brand’s second hotel in the bay of Agadir alongside the Sofitel Agadir Royal Bay Resort.The hotel designed by the Moroccan architect Jamal Lamiri Alaoui and the French interior designer Didier Rey inspires serenity and encourages relaxation. These two experts in their respective fields have combined their know-how, culture and personal inspirations to pay tribute to modernity and Moroccan culture.

The 125 rooms and 49 suites, each with its own private patio overlooking the sea and offering a superb view of the bay of Agadir and the remains of its ancient Kasbah, are also an invitation to relax.

A thalassotherapy institute devoted to complete rest
On the edge of the Atlantic, separated only by a stretch of fine sandy beach, the thalassotherapy institute is an integral part of the hotel. With its elegant, pure white decor, this area is devoted to resting and replenishing both mind and body in a healthy ‘detox’ atmosphere.

Every aspect of the Sofitel Agadir Thalassa has been considered to optimise the well-being of each guest thanks to a large range of treatments and accompaniment focusing on techniques for leading a healthy lifestyle and getting back in shape. Some of the cure programmes include consultations with a naturopath who uses natural therapies to boost the body’s vital energy as well as a sporting coach who completes this programme with personalised fitness sessions indoors or on the beach.

The establishment also proposes treatments inspired by Moroccan traditions to awake the senses and re-energize the mind and body. They are the promise of a unique experience combining the benefits of the Sea and the Land since the thalassotherapy treatments are complemented by local products: Argan oil, Barbary fig, orange blossom water, rosewater, honey, and so on.

More general well-being activities are also organised in addition to the individualised treatments. The thalassotherapy facility has 16 spacious booths, leading onto the beach or the hotel gardens, and proposes massages with Argan oil and other essential oils. A therapeutic water course of heated seawater at 32°C is open to all hotel guests to allow everyone to enjoy the health benefits of heated seawater…Other practices such as swimming against the current, aqua fitness and aqua-bike sessions, and step aerobics workouts are also available.

In order to complete the different treatment programmes, the hotel offers a wide choice of hot and cold herbal drinks and fresh fruit juices. Here the thalassotherapy expertise is associated with the health-giving properties of Morocco’s finest products and treatments.

A catering offer devoted to well-being
The hotel’s catering offer is also all about well-being and offers local products prepared according to the very latest dietary trends or traditional Moroccan dishes with a new twist.

There are 3 restaurants, including a gastronomic restaurant called Le Palais du Jardin where the motto ‘‘eat well to live well’’ reflects the choice to use only the freshest products, home-grown in the hotel garden or from the region’s farms, while minimising the use of oils and fats. A naturopath and a dietician contribute to planning the menu to offer guests genuine and personalised support.

Facing the ocean and perched above the gardens and the pool, the aptly-named Le Market restaurant proposes a cuisine of freshly prepared seasonal products.

Finally the poolside restaurant, l’Atlantique, serves a simple cuisine, with particular emphasis on locally-caught fish

UK

Last week, the backlash against European austerity packages put pressure on the UK’s coalition government, the Conservative’s losses were slightly lessened by the fact that Boris Johnson, the current mayor of London, narrowly won his bid for re-election.George Osborne said on Sunday that big losses for government parties in local elections on Thursday didn’t represent a rejection of his austerity program, but instead a plea from voters to focus on fixing the economy.

GBPEUR broke the 1.24 barrier following French presidential elections. The pair peaked at 1.2445 at 22:00 on Sunday, the highest level for sterling since November 2008. Last week’s resistance of 1.2345 now acts as a support and a close back under this level will be required to relieve immediate pressures.

GBPUSD traded within a 71 pip range over the bank holiday moving from 1.6118 on Monday morning peaking at 1.6189. With risk aversion the key theme of the week so far there is a risk of fresh weakness down below 1.60. However with sterling currently being the traders favourite, support levels of 1.6120 and 1.6057 could prove resilient.
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Last Friday, US Non-Farm Payrolls grew by only 115,000 in April, but on aggregate the release was pretty neutral because of the positive revisions previously.

The total US unemployment rate has fallen again, hitting 8.1% in April , its lowest level since Jan 2009 but this was due largely to a contraction in the labour market rather than acceleration in job growth.

France’s socialist candidate Francois Hollande won the presidential election on Sunday with a reported 51.62% of the votes cast. Sarkozy becomes the 11th Eurozone leader to be ousted during the sovereign-debt crisis. Political uncertainty is never good for a country’s currency and in the case of the euro it has been a constant threat.

Europe and France are not doomed to austerity – according to Francois Hollande. He said in his first speech “Austerity is not an inevitability”. These type of statements are worrying investors across the globe about the prospect of the EU leaders changing their policy on how to recover from their sovereign debt crisis.

EURUSD dropped to 1.2955 during the Asian session after the elections, its lowest point since January . During the UK bank holiday the pair traded back over 1.30, currently trading at around 1.3018. A close under 1.30 will open the 2012 low of 1.2655 as a bearish target. In the meantime 1.32 looks to be the range top now.

With no clear winner in Greek elections, New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras failed to forge an agreement to form a new government. Election results raised questions about the country’s euro membership and triggered the biggest stock-market drop in six months.

Greek political uncertainty tops the headlines as risks are pointing to a likely re-election which would take place at the earliest in mid-June. A delay could threaten the current Greek bailout should it delay implementation of the necessary austerity measures.

Yesterday saw an improvement in German factory orders which rose by 2.2%, beating expectations only 0.5%.

Today, with the spotlight already firmly fixed on Europe, there will be a great deal of interest in ECB President Draghi’s speech at 1.30pm today.

Australian building Approvals and Retail Sales both rose over the weekend, seeing GBPAUD drop nearly a cent to 1.5879 from 1.5942. Australia posted its third-straight trade deficit in March as shipments of key exports such as coal and iron ore once again fell. The deficit figure reinforced the RBA decision to slash interest rates by 50 basis points last week.

There are basic design and aesthetic rules on the use of colour. With the move back to pattern and colour from the off-white minimalism of the last decade or so, it seems appropriate to take a fresh look at some of these rules.

Artists revel in colour and its power. You only have to sit in front of a Monet to realize the powerful emotional tug colour can have. His abstracted use of colour through his ‘Water Lilies’ series and the observational changes he records through series such as the ‘Haystacks’ show the power of colour to change perceptions. This work has continued to be exploited and extended through the work of artists such as Bridget Riley and Dan Flavin.
This very power makes the misuse of colour an abuse of the viewer. Professional designers are often guilty of colour misapplication and poor taste, creating violent clashes or room schemes that do not support the room’s function. It’s not as if the rules of colour are new. Goethe first expounded a printed theory of colour many centuries ago, and related colour to emotions. The Greek and Romans had symbolic meanings for colour in earlier millennia, some of which are still at the base of the theories of colour taught in art schools.

Artists like Klee and Albers, and designers such as Itten worked with designers closely at the various iterations of the Bauhaus in developing theories of colour in interiors, carpets etc., some of the effects of which are only lately being revealed through the work of the restoration groups on Bauhaus properties in Germany. Yet despite this research, and the teaching of colour theory in art college across the world, ignorance in the use of colour continues to be displayed.

Continued on page two…

Plans for Bennetts Associates Architects’ new 5-star Queen Hithe Hotel were approved by the City of London last week. The project for Resolution Properties will redevelop a historic, riverside site southeast of St Paul’s Cathedral, replacing a disparate group of buildings with a new, elegant piece of architecture.The project will see the replacement of three tired 1960s buildings, including one which spans Upper Thames Street and the retention of an existing bridge structure over Upper Thames Street, with a new 200,000 sq ft, 224 bedroom hotel and adjoining private riverside residential block.

Constrained by St Paul’s Cathedral’s heights and the retained bridge structure, the hotel forms a distinctive wedge-shape which extends over the full length of the tight site. Where the building touches the ground it also has to negotiate the Scheduled Ancient Monuments which partially occupy the site, including the remains of Huggin Hill Roman Baths to the north and the original Queenhithe dock to the south.

The building’s facades will consist of layered materials, with a stone base below podium level, anchoring the building in the City. Upper floors will be clad in lighter, reflective materials and include recesses to provide solar shading and brightly coloured reveals to further animate the façade.

The lower levels of the eight storey hotel building will house public spaces, including restaurant and conference facilities. At the south end of the hotel, a double-height glazed reception area and first floor hotel bar will have spectacular river views, overlooking Shakespeare’s Globe and South Bank.

Hotel bedrooms predominantly face east and west and will have angled windows, maximising views to the tower of St Mary Somerset to the northwest and sightlines to St Paul’s Cathedral and the tower of St James Garlickhythe at higher levels.

Three of the nine riverside apartments will sit above the hotel bar at the south of the main hotel building, whilst the remainder will be housed in the adjoining block to the east.

The project will also allow for a new walkway between Queens Quay House and Bull Wharf, completing the final link in the City of London’s riverside pedestrian route.

The scheme is scheduled to start on site in early 2012.

The world’s largest exhibition for lighting and building-services, the “Light & Building” in Frankfurt, closed its doors on April 20th. More than 196,000 visitors took the chance to visit the show which is an increase of almost 7% compared with 2010.Baulmann Leuchten from Sundern unveiled its latest product-developments at the show. Besides several new product-lines equipped with energy-saving LED-lamps, the main attraction on the show has been a new stunning pendant luminaire.

Being the centre-piece of the exhibition booth, this pendant luminaire had a diameter of 4.5 metres!

Equipped with dimmable electronic ballasts for energy saving TC-L lamps, the elements of this luminaire can be controlled individually, to allow a permanent change of the aspect of the luminaire.

All pictures are copyright by “Baulmann Leuchten”.

Having successfully opened its first hotel in India – Swissôtel Kolkata – in July 2010, Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts, the international hotel group of Swiss origin signed a management contract for a flagship project in India: Swissôtel Grand Mumbai. This is in addition to one more hotel under development for the brand in Bangalore. Located on Andheri Kurla Road in the heart of the new business district in the north of Mumbai, the new Swissôtel Grand Mumbai will offer a total of 300 guest rooms, executive rooms and suites. The hotel’s conference and banqueting facilities will occupy a total area of around 1600m² including the main ballroom measuring 500m2 alone. The hotel will also have a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation – the Pürovel Spa & Sport centre.

The hotel is in close proximity to a number of new grade A offices occupied by numerous multinational companies. The Andheri Kurla area, which has approximately 20% of Mumbai’s commercial office space supply, also features new shops and restaurants as well as a new metro line. Swissôtel Grand Mumbai is strategically situated in this prominent business district of the city with easy access to the international airport, which is undergoing major redevelopment, and the rapidly expanding suburbs that are benefiting from improving transport connectivity. The five-star business hotel is due to open in 2014.

“This exciting project at the heart of Mumbai’s commercial centre will drive forward our expansion in the highly promising Indian market,” commented Meinhard Huck, President Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts. “India is the world’s second-largest nation and the numbers involved are huge. India is set to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2020 and consumer demand, particularly in the cities, is continually rising. A robust domestic tourism industry coupled with the increasing global nature of Indian businesses is boosting business travel and providing a very healthy platform for the growth of the hospitality industry. Amid this environment we see considerable potential for our hotel group and are pleased to be working with a renowned partner, the Litolier Group, which appreciates our Swiss values.“ HVS, a global services and consulting organisation focused on the hospitality industry served as advisor to the Litolier Group during the operator search and management contract negotiations.

Mumbai is the commercial and entertainment capital of India, it is also one of the world’s top 10 centres of commerce in terms of global financial flow, generating 70 per cent of maritime trade in India and 70 per cent of capital transactions to India’s economy. Mumbai is home to financial institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India, the Bombay Stock Exchange, the National Stock Exchange of India, the SEBI and the corporate headquarters of numerous Indian companies and multinational corporations.

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) announces the signing of three new Holiday Inn Express hotels in Colombia. The hotels, owned and managed by Grupo Contempo S.A., under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group, will be located in the key cities of Bogota, Cartagena and Barranquilla. IHG’s relationship with Grupo Contempo began in 2008 with the signing and opening of the Holiday Inn Express Bogota in the vibrant neighbourhood of “Parque de la 93.” The new properties, scheduled to open in 2014, will add 450 rooms to IHG’s existing portfolio in Colombia, which currently includes eight hotels and 1,910 rooms. The new hotels will also complement IHG’s four existing Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express properties in the country.

The Holiday Inn Express Bogota OXO 67th will be the second hotel that Grupo Contempo will develop in Colombia’s capital city, Bogota. The hotel will be part of a mixed-use complex, consisting of an office tower, a hotel tower and retail on the ground floor. The seven-story, 100-room hotel will be located in the heart of the financial district, close to the main corporate offices of major multinational companies; embassies and consulates; the National Theater; and “Zona G” (G Zone), renowned for its restaurants and bars.

The 200-room Holiday Inn Express Cartagena will be located in the heart of the Bocagrande district, one of the city’s most popular tourist spots. Encircled by a vibrant commercial and residential area, the 15-story hotel will be within close proximity to a variety of popular restaurants, shops, cafes and bars. The Holiday Inn Express Cartagena will boast a business centre, a swimming pool and a fitness facility.

The Holiday Inn Express Barranquilla will be situated adjacent to the modern Buenavista Shopping Mall & Entertainment Center in one of Barranquilla’s most exclusive neighbourhoods. The 18-story, 150-room hotel is within walking distance to a variety of high-end boutiques, shops and restaurants. The hotel will also feature a swimming pool, a business centre and a fitness facility.

Standard Holiday Inn Express guest rooms feature comfortable queen or king-sized beds, a sitting area with a lounge chair, in room coffee machine. Business travellers will find large desks with ergonomic chairs and free high-speed internet access.

Sunflower Hospitality LLC, Delant Construction Co. and Choice Hotels International, Inc. have recently celebrated the official groundbreaking of a new Cambria Suites hotel in Miami, Fla. The Miami property signifies the continued expansion of the Cambria Suites brand into major urban markets, following the recent announcement of two new development deals in New York City and one in Washington, D.C. Additionally, Choice Hotels has acquired land parcels in five other major markets for potential future development.The 122-suite hotel will be located along Highway 836 near Miami International Airport, on the 6700th block of NW 7th Street. Delant Construction Co. of South Florida serves as general contractor for the hotel project. The groundbreaking ceremony was held today at the construction site with business, community and government leaders in attendance.

The $16 million, 85,500-square-foot, seven-story building is expected to be completed in summer of 2013. The hotel will have 1,800 square feet of conference room space, as well as an outdoor pool and terrace. Hotel guestrooms will feature stunning views of nearby Lake Mahar. Two hundred construction jobs are expected to be created as a result of this hotel development. In addition, the hotel will employ approximately 60 staff members on an ongoing basis, and is expected to generate in excess of approximately $50,000 in tax revenue per year to the Miami-Dade area.

Sunflower Hospitality LLC has historical success in developing shopping centers, bars, restaurants and hotels. This is their first Cambria Suites development. Ocean Bank’s financial backing has been integral in the hotel development.

The Cambria Suites hotel brings the latest in hotel innovation to the Miami-Dade area. Each room will be a spacious suite that’s larger than most standard hotel rooms, and includes separate work and living areas with ergonomic chairs, movable desks and luxury linens. Each room will offer the latest in technology, including two flat-screen LCD televisions and MediaHub™ plug-and-play technology, allowing guests to connect their laptop, MP3 player, game console, digital camera or CD/DVD player hassle-free. Free high-speed wired and wireless Internet access will be available throughout the hotel so that guests can stay connected even while vacationing.

Like all Cambria Suites hotels, the Miami property will feature: Reflect, a casual dining and gathering area serving a dinner menu, liquor, wine, beer, freshly prepared grab-and-go gourmet salads and sandwiches, a barista bar featuring Wolfgang Puck® coffee and a hot breakfast buffet; Refresh, a state-of-the-art fitness center with an elegant pool and hot tub/spa area; and Refill, a 24-7 convenience store that offers energy drinks, snacks and sundries.

SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced the launch of a multi-million dollar renovation to a premier Snowmass resort in preparation for its re-opening under the Westin flag in time for the 2012-2013 ski season. Formerly known as the Silvertree Hotel & Conference Center, the 254-room resort will fully renovate all guest rooms and public areas in order to implement the full suite of Westin signature amenities, designed to inspire wellbeing. Owned by a joint venture between Starwood Capital Group and Wasserman Real Estate, The Westin Snowmass Resort boasts an unbeatable location at the heart of Snowmass Village, adjacent to the ski slopes of Snowmass, one of Colorados most prestigious ski mountains.The Westin Snowmass Resort will feature 254 rooms and expand its suite offerings to 20, all with spectacular slope-side views. The resorts brand-new restaurant The Snowmass Kitchen will offer all-day dining with easy ski-in/ski-out access. The existing gym will be transformed into a first-class spa facility and a brand-new WestinWORKOUT® fitness center will overlook Snowmass Village. The resorts upper pool will be redeveloped into a landscaped space ideally suited for outdoor events, and the lower pool will be rebuilt to include two spacious hot tubs. The 20,000 square-foot conference center will be fully renovated and is scheduled to re-open by June 1, 2012.

Located in the heart of Snowmass, The Westin Snowmass Resort is walking distance to the shops and restaurants of Snowmass Village. The resort overlooks the slopes of Snowmass and is also convenient to three other ski areas Aspen, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk. Aspen/Snowmass is not only one of the worlds most sought-after ski destinations, but it is also a leading destination for summer vacationers, complete with white-water rafting, championship golf courses, horseback riding, hot air balloon rides and hiking.

The sensory-rich environment at Westin offers a respite from the rigors of travel and sets a welcoming tone. Upon entering the lobby, guests will begin to breathe more easily as they are greeted with soothing elements like relaxed lighting, natural botanicals and stimulating music. All guestrooms will feature the world-renowned Westin Heavenly® Bed with lush sheets, down cushioning and a patented pillow-top mattress, which cradles and contours to the body for complete comfort. Another industry first, the Heavenly® Bath creates an invigorating spa-like experience, enhanced with the brands Heavenly® Shower, Heavenly® Robe and exclusive White Tea Aloe bath amenities. In-room, high-speed Internet access and an ergonomic work space will offer travelers convenience and productivity in a tranquil setting.

Source: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

UK

Governor King said yesterday the UK economy is not yet back to health and needs the support of low interest rates. Bank of England officials are preparing for a decision next week on whether to extend their QE program to lift the economy from its first double-dip recession since 1975.On the political front Labour party made sweeping gains in a grim night for the coalition in local elections. Labour gained 461 seats and 21 councils, the Conservatives are down around 278 seats. As we experienced during the hung parliament, political uncertainty is not good for sterling.

Disappointing UK Services PMI released early yesterday morning weighed heavily on sterling for the day’s trading and halted the steady progress from recent sessions.

GBPEUR closed a shade below its next significant target of 1.2315 yesterday, hitting a high of 1.2338 and a low of 1.2277 during the ECB press conference. GBPEUR has strong technical support above 1.2211. This morning markets have opened around 1.2305, a repeat of last month’s poor European Retail Sales data today could push sterling to a new high.

There was little change on GBPUSD yesterday with just a 55 pip range from the day high and low at 1.6215 and 1.6160. Markets have opened this morning at around 1.6180 and analysts are expecting a bearish resumption over the coming weeks as sterling has somehow managed to maintain a strong position versus the US dollar despite the recent poor UK economic data.
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German and European Services PMI both fell short of forecast this morning. The German Services sector still held on to its positive outlook with a figure of 52.2, however the outlook in Europe has dropped now to 46.9 from 47.9 in February.

Mario Draghi surprised the currency market by assuming a defiantly hawkish posture at the ECB press conference yesterday dismissing any speculation of an imminent rate cut or even an additional LTRO. The EURUSD responded by moving from 1.3096 to 1.3176 and GBPEUR fell from 1.2338 to 1.2277.

Despite confirming the economic slowdown that is starting to affect the stronger economies of France and Germany, Draghi remained upbeat about a return to growth in the Eurozone in second half of this year. Draghi appealed for patience noting that more time was needed for the LTRO to filter its way through the European monetary system.

This Sunday will see parliamentary elections in Greece and presidential elections in France. Markets will be particularly eager to see the results in France, with favourite Francois Hollande expected to take over from Sarkozy this has largely been viewed as having a negative impact on money markets.

Service Industries in the US expanded less than projected and consumer confidence weakened, signalling the world’s largest economy may be cooling. Risk appetite fell as a result with the S & P 500 falling nearly 1% after the data. The two sets of labour data due this afternoon will be critical to risk appetite and the near term trends for US dollar.

The Swiss Real Retail sales Figure Year-on-Year came in this morning at 4.2%, much higher than the expected 1.1% and a big increase from the previous figure of 0.8%. Generally, an increase in this figure is good for the currency although we have seen little change in the GBPCHF this morning.

The Reserve Bank of Australia lowered its growth and inflation forecasts in its Monetary Policy statement Friday but the Aussie dollar’s reaction was muted, with GBPAUD currently residing at 1.5770.

GBPNZD rose to its highest level in more than four months after a report yesterday showed the New Zealand jobless rate unexpectedly rose. GBPNZD traded as high as 2.0233 overnight.

Like a jewel in a crown, the new luxury boutique hotel Casa San Agustín will open in Cartagena de Indias in Summer 2012 after a complete renovation. Simply elegant and uniquely authentic, the property features 22 rooms and 9 suites and is destined to set a new standard of luxury in Colombia. The hotel creates an architecturally unique atmosphere by preserving 3 Colonial buildings and an ancient aqueduct. Casa San Agustín sits within the walled city of Cartagena, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site which is rich in palaces, gardens, convents and churches, conserving all the enchantment of the Colonial period. The narrow streets are flanked by beautiful doors and projecting balconies with trailing blooms mimicking the romantic Andalusian style, leaving an indelible mark on this beautiful city nestled on a bay on the Caribbean Sea. Accommodations feature exceptional amenities, yet it is the unique architectural character of the buildings themselves that make Casa San Agustín such a luxurious experience. Wooden beamed ceilings soar up to 25 feet (6 meters); arched windows allow light to flood into the guest rooms and suites; breezy balconies and flowered terraces create and preserve an authentic Colombian style within the chic yet relaxed atmosphere of Casa San Agustín.

Many furnishings have been crafted by artisans and a series of singularly designed ironwork chandeliers have been designed for the restaurant, bar and outdoor terraces. Pure whites, deep blues and shades of green are reflective of the Caribbean Sea and influence the colour palette throughout the hotel. Four-poster beds furnish each room and suite while a select number of rooms feature private plunge pools or Jacuzzis. To satisfy the needs of the most discerning traveller, modern technology has been seamlessly woven into every aspect of the hotel.

From the individually decorated rooms and suites with their refined details, Casa San Agustín will resonate with true luxury and authentic sophistication, setting an enduring standard for Cartagena. Tailor-made services provide an added touch of luxury to the amenities that are offered. From assistance with organizing a wedding, to arranging a private boat excursion to the Islas de Rosario, the seasoned professionals at the hotel will manage your requests with ease.

Restaurant Alma
Restaurant Alma will feature al fresco dining in the courtyard of Casa San Agustín and guests of the hotel as well as the locals will gather to imbibe and dine on local specialties. The bar and poolside lounge will invite guests for tapas style portions along with a refreshing mix of cocktails. The chef will showcase the region’s rich choice of produce from freshly caught seafood to local beef.

Private Terrace + Bar
The third floor terrace overlooks the rooftops of the city and will serve as a solarium for hotel guests during the day, offering an alternative place to relax. During the evening, the terrace transforms into a “By Invitation Only” lounge for locals and guests.

Casa San Agustín
Casa San Agustín is managed by Trust Hospitality, as part of its collection of independently created boutique hotels. High in style, distinct and creative, each of these lifestyle hotels have one-of-a-kind architecture and interior design, allowing guests to expect just as much from their hotel as they do from their destination.

Based in Hilton Head, South Carolina, K. S. McRorie Interior Design is responsible for the interiors of Casa San Agustín and founder Kelley McRorie brings a keen attention to detail and an understanding of each client’s ideals. McRorie created environments have a sophisticated and less commercial feel – designs that translate to the true meaning of hospitality. The firm is focused on delivering outstanding results and making the process of creating beautiful spaces enjoyable and rewarding.

An award-winning hotel in Chester has recently completed a £400,000 refurbishment on a conceptual bar and restaurant which aims to emulate the pomp and pageantry of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations.The new Jubilee Room and Bar at the Best Western Premier Queen Hotel is an innovative marketing initiative created by the Feathers Hotel Group’s Managing Director, Stuart Hunter, and Preston-based designer Nita Patel, in a bid to attract international guests who are keen to visit the UK in its spotlight year, as well as existing visitors who want to get into the spirit of the Jubilee celebrations.

The creative and highly conceptual space features stately Union Jack-decorated thrones, a toy soldier-themed bar, a gallery of Queen’s head postage stamps throughout the years of her reign and quirky paintings reflecting the grandness of the royal household.

Since the bar’s official opening four weeks ago, the Queen Hotel has seen a substantial rise in the number of international visitors from America, Japan and all across Europe, as well as an increase in interest from existing mid-week corporate and leisure clients.

Stuart Hunter, Managing Director of The Feathers Group, said: “Britain is an exciting place to be in 2012 and with the forthcoming Jubilee celebrations we thought it was appropriate to mark such a great event with a unique design approach.

“The quirky features and Royal theme of the Jubilee Bar and Restaurant have become a real talking point amongst guests from around the country and overseas, and even our wedding last Friday saw the Bride and Groom insisting they had their wedding reception in the Jubilee Room perched on Union Jack thrones.

“We’re thrilled to have created a unique, fun and engaging environment in which guests can celebrate British culture and heritage; it will undoubtedly reinforce goodwill with existing clients and create further demand through our marketing channels.”

To complement the Royal theme, the hotel’s award-winning Head Chef, Simon Davies, has created an innovative ‘Best of British’ menu which features favourite British dishes sourced from local produce and served up with a unique twist.

The rest of the hotel also has a distinct stately feel, with visitors having the option to feel like a Royal in the Kings Executive Rooms where guests are escorted to individually-named and themed Kings room, with each floor devoted to a set of Kings from around the world.

The Queen Hotel will be offering Jubilee breaks from now and throughout the summer, with their ‘Best of British’ menu running throughout the year. There will also be a Street Party in the hotel’s gardens and grounds on the day of the Jubilee on Tuesday 5th June 2012.

UK

The pound rose to the highest level in 22 months against a broadly weaker euro reaching a high of 1.2325 helped by reports which showed UK PMI construction rose to 55.8 in April against expectations of 54.0 and UK mortgage approvals unexpectedly rose in March to 49.86k. Against the dollar, sterling starting the day trading near the session low of 1.6159 but recovered in the afternoon to end the session near the high of 1.6238.

UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne made a last-minute decision to attend yesterday’s meeting of European Union finance ministers due to indications that the gathering could result in key decisions being made on new bank capital rules.

Further QE for the UK economy is still an option, Bank of England rate setter Paul Fisher told a daily newspaper that additional bond buying, or QE is still an option on the table and the reluctance of banks to lend in the UK is a barrier to economic growth.

This morning Nationwide house prices fell on average by 0.2% in April from March and 0.9% on the year.

In data just released, UK PMI Services, widely regarded as the most important of the 3 PMI’s, has fallen to 53.3 from 55.3 last month and missed the forecast of 54.2. So far the currency markets have shown a muted response GBPEUR is marginally off overnight highs of 1.2320 at 1.2296 and GBPUSD is 1.6162.
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WORLDWIDE

The euro suffered heavy losses against its main trading partners yesterday after economic indicators underpinned fears of a deepening slump in Eurozone manufacturing, contrasting unfavourably with Monday’s robust US manufacturing data. In particular EURUSD fell for the third day from the high of 1.3240 to end the session near the low of 1.3122. From a technical point of view, 1.3100 has become the new psychological support level whilst 1.3032 is the April 9th low if the declines continue.

Italy’s construction data was among the standouts, sinking to 43.8 further below the 50 cut off point that distinguishes growth from contraction. Germany finished off the bad run with a below-consensus 46.2 compared with an expected 46.3.

Eurozone unemployment rate rose to 10.9% in March the highest level since the euro was formed in 1999 as spending cuts continued to hit the working population.

Speculation that ECB President Mario Draghi will signal today that policy makers are moving closer to cutting interest rates to spur growth in the Eurozone also put the euro under pressure, over the past 12 months it has weakened 6.6%, the worst performer of the 10 developed-nation currencies.

On a more positive note, Greece has had its government debt rating raised out of default by credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s. S&P upgraded the crisis-hit nation to “CCC” from “selective default” after the country completed the biggest debt restructuring in history earlier this year.

Private-sector jobs in the US increased by just 119,000 last month, according to a national employment report calculated by payroll processor ADP, the gain was far below economists’ expectations of 175,000.

US factory orders fell by 1.5% in March which is the sharpest pace in three years, a sign that demand is slowing amid an uneven economic recovery.

Spain will auction 3 + 5-year bonds today amid speculation that the Eurozone’s fourth-largest economy will follow Greece, Ireland and Portugal in seeking a bailout.

China’s manufacturing expanded at the fastest pace in a year rising to 53.3 in April from 53.1 in March, reducing pressure on policy makers to open the taps on credit in the world’s second-largest economy. This is the fifth straight month in a row the reading has been above 50 which shows expansion in the field.

Great Hotels of the World are pleased to announce the opening of a brand new hotel, Thon Hotel EU, which will officially open on 26 April 2012, following a 24-month development.Thon Hotel EU is a member of Great Hotels of the World’s Premium Collection. This innovative hotel is ideally situated in the heart of the city’s European district and within easy reach of public transport links. It is also near to the city’s main historical and cultural attractions, including the Grand Place and the Natural Science Museum. The hotel is also just 15 minutes from the airport by car. The impressive four-star property has benefitted from the creative input of Altiplan Architects, who have created a modern yet fully functional building with open, bright and airy spaces. The interior of the property was designed by Norwegian designer Trond Ramsokar, whose concept for the hotel was based around light, serenity and modern comforts.

The establishment will boast 405 bright and modern guestrooms and 37 spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments spread over eight floors. Thon Hotel EU will also offer excellent meeting facilities with its 10 multipurpose conference rooms, catering for up to 300 delegates in theatre-style. The largest conference room can be divided into three smaller rooms, providing an ideal setting for gala dinners, conferences, weddings and cocktail parties. All meeting and conference rooms have access to natural daylight and are fully equipped with essential audio and technical equipment. One meeting room will be specifically designated for video conferences.

Guests can enjoy sumptuous international cuisine at The Twelve restaurant, inspired by the European flag and its twelve stars. The Twelve will boast 220 seats with the possibility of adding a further 130 places in an adjacent room. Simultaneously, the hotel will offer a terrace garden, cocooned in the heart of the main building, with design elements of a Moroccan riad. The terrace will offer a further 60 seats for The Twelve restaurant.

Similar to other Thon properties where shopping centres are a core business focus, Thon Hotel EU will also contain a shopping gallery – the Thon Passage, with a surface area of 900sqm. Other facilities of the hotel include a lounge bar, state-of-the-art fitness centre and an underground car park.

Respect for the environment and protecting the planet are two of the Thon Hotel Group’s main priorities. Thon Hotel EU will invest 72,500 Euros to create solar panels as well as an additional 18,000 Euros reserved towards green contribution, including mixing valves for eco-friendly showers. Further investment has been made to ensure that the property can create its own green energy on site. The property will also educate its staff and clients alike with regards to the protection of the environment. Moreover, the hotel will promote recycling, and will request that suppliers group their orders into as few deliveries as possible, choose green products and offer guests a special Green Package.

With recent hotel openings in Ningbo, Sanya, Yangzhou and Xian, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has recently announced it has surpassed the opening of its 100th operating hotel in China with plans to open 15 additional hotels by the end of this year. With eight hotels already opened in the first quarter of 2012, Starwood will open a total of 23 hotels in China in 2012, which is on pace with 2011 openings making 2012 the second consecutive year the company has opened a record number of hotels here in any one year. Since Starwood’s landmark debut of The Great Wall Sheraton Hotel in Beijing in 1985, China has now become Starwood’s second largest market in the world after the United States and Starwood continues to lead as the largest high-end hotel operator in the country. Looking ahead, Starwood’s growth in China is being fuelled by the power of its Sheraton and Westin brands and, increasingly, the momentum of the company’s mid-market brands – Aloft and Four Points by Sheraton which now boasts the company’s second largest pipeline in China behind Sheraton.

Sheraton and Westin Continue to Fuel Growth in China, Including Starwood’s Largest Hotel – Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central
Sheraton is slated to open nine new hotels across China in 2012, reaching a total of nearly 80 hotels there by 2015. More than one-third of Starwood’s new hotels in China will fly the Sheraton flag, building on the brand’s 30-year legacy in the country. In mid-September, the iconic Sheraton brand will also celebrate the opening of the first phase of the 3,863-room Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central which will be the largest Sheraton, as well as the largest Starwood hotel, in the world. Offering three restaurants with poolside cafes, 20,000 sq m of meeting space and two outdoor swimming pools, Sheraton Macao is a highly anticipated addition to Cotai Strip, also known as the “Las Vegas of Asia.”

Westin will open four new hotels in China in 2012, resulting in a portfolio of 18 properties in this key market by year’s end, extending the brand’s reach in second and third tier cities. The new Westin hotels will open in fast-growing cities across China, including Ningbo, Xiamen, Changbaishan and Taiyuan.

Starwood Continues to Grow Luxury Brands in China
After a successful year in 2011 opening St. Regis hotels in Tianjin, Sanya, and Shenzhen, Starwood’s Luxury Collection brand will open two hotels this year – Twelve at Hengshan in Shanghai and The Royal Begonia on Hainan Island, China’s first Luxury Collection resort. The Luxury Collection launched in China in 2010, with a suitably iconic property – The Astor Hotel – in Tianjin.

Starwood Rolls Out Global Starwood Personalized Travel to 1,100 Hotels Around the World
Following the successful pilot in key gateway cities across the globe, Starwood rolled out Starwood Personalized Travel to its nearly 1,100 hotels worldwide. Chinese guests are now able to experience personalized home-away-from-home touches, including in-room tea kettles, slippers, translated welcome materials and on-site translation services, as well as familiar Chinese favourites like congee.

SOURCE: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Marriott International has announced the opening of the 342-room Renaissance Huizhou Hotel in China. The hotel opened under a long-term management agreement with Guangzhou R&F Properties Development Co., Ltd. an existing long-term partner. The Renaissance Huizhou offers 247 deluxe rooms, 76 club rooms, 18 club suites and one Presidential suite. Each stylish guestroom offers a minimum of 47 square meters of space with a number of well-appointed amenities including LCD screen television, high speed internet and Wi-Fi access, and an iPod docking station. The interior design reflects the Renaissance Hotels design philosophy which offers modern and stylish touches balanced with authentic Chinese décor.

Hakka motifs are used to depict local customs while contrasting décor such as Asian-inspired wooden walls and modern western art deco expressions are used to articulate the complimentary coexistence of both Eastern and Western cultures in the city. The Club Lounge, located on the 47th and 48th floor offers spectacular West Lake and East River views. All club floor guests are entitled to complimentary continental breakfast, afternoon high tea, evening cocktail, wireless internet access and two-hour meeting room usage.

The Renaissance Huizhou Hotel offers an exciting array of beverage and food facilities which consist of four restaurants and lounges located on the 28th and 29th floors, serving an extensive range of local and international cuisines. BLD café’s atmosphere is reflected in the very best of buffet dishes cooked from the show kitchens allowing guests to discover tastes from around the world. Wan Li Restaurant offers delicate dim sum, traditional Cantonese cuisine and classic Hakka cuisine featuring seven elegantly designed private rooms.

Those in the mood for sushi, sashimi and teppanyaki will be inspired by Yuzu Japanese Grill’s offerings in a spectacular architectural design. The Lounge located on the 29th floor is absolutely the perfect place to end the busy working day or relax yourself on the weekend. Finally, all outlets indulge in a breathtaking river view to engage guests in a delightful lifestyle experience.

With 11 dedicated meeting rooms and total event spaces across 2,280 square meters, including a 550-square meters, natural day light foyer with full river view and a 1,380-square meter grand ballroom which can be divisible into five sections, the hotel offers extensive banquet facilities equipped with brightly art light and modern sound system to ensure every of your unique business or social requirement is well accommodated.

For relaxation, guests can enjoy the indoor swimming pool with a glass roof or the 24-hour fitness center fully equipped with modern cardio machines, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room on the 30th floor. Enoch Touch Spa in the hotel offers seven treatment rooms and serves guests relieving stress by their professional massage therapist.

The Renaissance Huizhou Hotel is ideally located in the heart of Jiang Bei Central Business District and serves as the highest building in Huizhou. The hotel’s close proximity to Huizhou City Government, International Convention Center, key office buildings and a luxury shopping mall make it a perfect location for those visiting the city on business.

UK

GBPUSD began Friday’s session at the low of 1.6179 and moved to an 8-month high at 1.6278 in late trading which is a level not seen since 31st August 2011, markets have seen little change over the weekend and opened this morning at 1.6284. GBPUSD has now rallied from a low 1.5818 to a high of 1.6300 in only 10 trading days as QE3 expectations have increased.GBPEUR opened at 1.2292 on Friday and eventually closed the day at 1.2255. Markets opened this morning at 1.2293 and has reached a high of 1.2306, struggling to breach the next resistance level at 1.2307.

Governor Mervyn King has 10 days left to decide on whether to risk halting stimulus for an economy trying to shake off a recession. Reports starting tomorrow on manufacturing, construction and services, as well as consumer credit and house prices, will set the scene for data building up to a decision on QE on May 10.
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WORLDWIDE

The US dollar weakened across most major currencies since Friday as US GDP came out worse than expected at 2.2% compared to a 2.6% forecast.

During Friday’s session EURUSD hit a high of 1.3270 after starting at 1.3156 which was the low of the day. The weekend trading saw the Euro recover some losses and this morning is trading comfortably above 1.32 again, reaching a high of 1.3264.

Data released this morning showed German Retail Sales continued to improve, posting 2.3% on an annualized basis.

Eurozone Consumer Price Index has showed that inflation across Europe has fallen slightly but less than expected. The smaller than expected fall means ECB are less likely to be forced into further stimulus. This has had a fairly muted effect on the currency markets and EURUSD remains near today’s open price at 1.3229.

S&P Managing Director Moritz Kraemer has said that if Spanish debt ratio slips much further, additional rating downgrades will be likely and create downside risk to almost all euro zone sovereign ratings.

On Friday the Spanish government announced a VAT rise in 2013 and also released data showing unemployment has hit a record high reaching 24.4% and is expected to rise further throughout 2012. Spain has the highest unemployment rate in the EU.

Swiss central bank president Thomas Jordan commented on whether the SNB should introduce negative interest rates stating “We haven’t introduced negative interest rates because the minimum exchange rate has worked very well so far and because it wasn’t necessary”.

On Friday the Italian 10-year bonds were sold at yields of 5.84% which was higher than the previous months at 5.24%.

In early Asian trading on Friday we saw the bank of Japan expand the size of its Asset purchase fund by JPY10 trillion to JPY40 trillion adding that it also believes its 1% inflation target will be reached. After only a two hour rally up to 131.65, the pair has retreated again to trade around 130.50 since the intervention.

Accor have pulled together all their environmental initiatives into a programme they call Planet 21. Ths is their video presentation explaining how it works.Accor’s commitment to sustainable development dates back many years, with practical initiatives such as the creation of an environment department 20 years ago, of an Hotel Environment charter in 1998 and the adoption of many solutions aimed at contributing to the development of local communities, optimizing water and energy consumption and reducing its hotels’ environmental footprint.

Every property undergoes an environmental audit and improvements are linked in to operational team bonuses. One hotel reduced its energy bill by 50% just as a result of the audit changing working practices.

Intrinsically linked to sustainable development, the name PLANET 21 refers to Agenda 21, the action plan adopted by 173 Heads of State at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. It also echoes the urgent need to focus efforts in the 21st century to change our production and consumption patterns with the goal of protecting our planet, its people and their environment

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has announced a partnership with Clean the World to recycle partially-used soaps and bottled amenities from hotel guest rooms and distribute them in communities with limited access to hygiene products.Clean the World Foundation Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization that is committed to stopping the spread of preventable diseases by collecting, recycling and distributing hotel guest room amenities to children and families in the United States, Canada and more than 45 countries worldwide. Through its sustainable and socially responsible efforts, including a patented method of sterilizing soaps during the recycling process to remove potential germs and pathogens, Clean the World has helped divert more than 1.4 million lbs. of hotel waste from local landfills.

Through this partnership, IHG has the potential to add 3,274 properties in the United States and Canada, representing 407,840 rooms, to Clean the World’s growing list of more than 1,400 hospitality partners throughout North America. IHG brands that can participate in the program include:
– InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts
– Hotel Indigo®
– Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts
– Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts
– Holiday Inn Express®
– Staybridge Suites®
– Candlewood Suites®

The agreement lends corporate support for all IHG brands to join the Clean the World hospitality partnership program, which provides implementation training, supplies and shipping for guest room amenities collected each day at participating properties. Nearly 70 IHG branded properties are already involved with Clean the World, and have helped collect 268,517 soap bars and divert more than 40.5 tons of hotel waste from local landfills.

Clean the World aligns well with IHG’s Green Engage program, a comprehensive online sustainability system which measures, manages and reports on the conservation efforts of individual properties within the IHG family of brands. Through Green Engage, IHG has set a goal of reducing solid waste by 50 percent for each participating hotel. By recycling hotel soaps and bottled amenities with Clean the World, participating IHG properties will make significant progress in meeting this goal, while improving living conditions for communities in need.

“Through programs like Green Engage and this new partnership with Clean the World, IHG continues to address our sustainability priorities at the hotel level,” says Paul Snyder, vice president, Corporate Responsibility, IHG. “Our hotel owners and guests have made eco-awareness a priority in their lives, and we welcome that kind of social responsibility in all that we do and offer throughout our brand portfolio. This partnership is a great opportunity to leverage our scale to both reduce the impact on the environment and provide a benefit for global communities.”

Each day, 9,000 children around the world die from acute respiratory illness and diarrheal diseases that can be prevented by washing with bar soap. Clean the World has a mission to put soap in the hands of people who need it most to improve and promote hygiene and sanitary living conditions and to lessen the impact of disease.

“IHG brings its impressive and well-known portfolio of hotels to our global hygiene revolution,” says Shawn Seipler, Co-founder and CEO at Clean the World. “By recognizing the value of amenities recycling, and encouraging individual IHG properties to join our partnership program, IHG displays tremendous corporate support for social responsibility and a concern for protecting our planet. As a leader in the global hospitality industry, IHG’s embrace of Clean the World will signal to its loyal guests that sustainability is a shared commitment and that every day is Earth Day when you stay at an IHG hotel.”

Clean the World recently achieved a major milestone with the global distribution of more than 10 million soap bars in just three years of operation. The soaps are often packaged as part of sustainable hygiene kits, which include recycled bottled amenities and other hygiene-related items collected from Clean the World hotel partners throughout North America. Recent distributions of soaps and hygiene kits have been made to communities in Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Nicaragua and Sierra Leone.

Classic Lodges, a carefully picked selection of properties, has appointed Richard Smith as Director of Marketing and Associates to enhance its growing marketing team ahead of the expansion of the group through both acquisitions and associate hotels.Richard has been with Classic Lodges for more than five years, joining as Group Sales and Marketing Manager, with responsibility for promoting the development of the five individual hotels within the Classic Lodges brand. During this time, the group has grown to eight, and Richard also had a hand in creating their first central reservations and conference team.

Having previously come from Best Western Hotels were he headed up its Agency Sales team, his experience will be vital in overseeing the Associate Hotels programme, offering independent hotels of similar size sales and marketing support from the Classic Lodges’ base in Chorley.

Richard is looking forward to taking the Classic Lodges Associate Hotels programme forward: “We have brought a number of hotels under the Classic Lodges umbrella and believe we can offer them significant help with their sales and marketing,” he says. “This is a very important element of my role going forward and the challenge I am looking forward to most.”

A Cumbria hotel which allows couples to live out their romantic fantasies is trying to cope with a booking frenzy after coming under the TV spotlights last week.

Aphrodite’s hotel near Windermere – owned by husband-and-wife team Will and Lyn Howarth – was seen by millions of viewers of the popular Channel Four series “Four in a Bed”.After the screening of the half-hour episode in which the hotel was featured, Will Howarth said that his website server and telephone lines “went almost into melt-down”.

With over £5000 worth of bookings taken on the first night, Will hopes that the knock-on effect will also benefit tourism generally by confirming Lakeland as the UK’s “capital of romance”.

Aphrodite’s, just outside Bowness on Longtail Hill, is a boutique hotel which provides 17 luxurious and theatrically themed bedrooms where couples can let their imaginations run wild.

Couples can spend their fantasy nights in surroundings conjuring up the world of James Bond, the Flintstones, Robin Hood or even Tarzan and Jane.

Other bedroom scenes include settings inspired by the romance of Paris, Tuscany, ancient Egypt, colonial America, and the Swiss Alps.

The “Four in a Bed” series looks at four couples owning hotels and guest houses as they visit each other’s establishments to stay the night and deliver judgement on their experiences.

Shown nightly over a single week, each episode focuses on one hotel – and when it came to Aphrodite’s turn, Will and Lyn were able to hear their rivals’ comments for the first time.

Despite one complaint from a mother and son that they weren’t allowed to share the same bedroom, the guests’ verdict on their experiences was an overwhelming thumbs-up.

According to Will, the idea of spending a fantasy night in Cumbria living as cavemen or as an Egyptian king and queen clearly whet the appetite of those watching the show:

“The phones starting ringing immediately the programme finished, and when we checked our website the following day, it had already received more than nine thousand hits!” said Will.

“In fact we quickly had to find a new server for the site as it was in danger of crashing with the volume of visitors trying to make on-line bookings.

“Our small-screen debut obviously hit the spot big-time for couples who want to spice up their lives with a little bit of make-believe and pampering!” he added.

Will and Lyn’s guests in the series owned establishments in Oxford, the Peak District and Wales – and were shown reacting with wide-eyed amazement at what they found at Aphrodite’s.

Cameras also saw them taking part in an aqua aerobics session in the hotel’s luxury pool, and enjoying an all-Cumbrian meal at the nearby Windermere Boutique Hotel.

That hotel has been owned by Will for over 20 years, and then ten years ago he was given the opportunity to buy another nearby business offering traditional B&B stays.

Sensing that the area was already well served by such accommodation, he began planning the hotel’s romantic renaissance, and named it after the Greek goddess of love.

“Our idea was that Aphrodite’s would inject a bit of real fun into visiting the Lake District – whilst still keeping quality standards high, and focussing on Cumbrian food,” said Will.

“The number of repeat visitors we get, some of whom are working their way around all our themed rooms, I think indicates that we all enjoy a bit of fantasy in our lives.

“We’re naturally delighted at the reaction to our television debut, and I hope it also sends out the message that Cumbria has a lot more variety than mountains and mint cake!” he added

Marriott International has announced the opening of the 340-room Renaissance Guiyang Hotel in China. The hotel is located in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, an emerging city for business and leisure activities in southwest China, and represents the 15th Renaissance property to open in the country.Renaissance Guiyang Hotel offers six dining and entertainment options that offer guests a variety of choices including local and international cuisine. New Dynasty is a classic Cantonese restaurant with 10 private dining rooms, while Bai Wei is a casual Chinese restaurant featuring renowned Sichuan and local dishes. BLD is a buffet-style restaurant which showcases cuisine from key cities around the world.

The Chocolate Cake Company is a comfortable café located in the hotel lobby, offering guests quick and delicious snack options. Finally, the hotel is home to two unique bars – the R Bar located in the lobby; and Vue, a roof top bar located on the 23rd floor offering spectacular views of Guiyang.

All 340 guest rooms inclusive of 19 spacious suites are equipped with wireless and High-Speed Internet Access (HSIA), iPod docking stations, flat screen TV’s, state-of-the-art technology and a full array of amenities.

With its 1,230 square meters of banquet space, including a 700-square meter grand ballroom, the hotel is proud to introduce the Renaissance Hotels “Intriguing Meetings” concept to the city by offering meeting planners a variety of amenities and Renaissance signature experiences including RLife LIVE, Renaissance Hotels hospitality entertainment program. The hotel also offers six function rooms and one VIP room, all equipped with state-of-the-art audio visual facilities.

Additional amenities at the hotel include a state of the art business centre, indoor pool and a 24-hour Fitness Center which is fully equipped with cardiovascular machines and Olympics weights. Wireless Internet connectivity is available in all public areas of the hotel.
Developed by Guizhou Zhongdian Hotel Management, Renaissance Guiyang Hotel represents another significant opening for the Renaissance Hotels brand in China, inland Chinese cities, which are widely regarded as an emerging force of economic development and leisure travel in the country.

UK

GBPEUR traded at a high of 1.2284 and a low of 1.2218. With no UK data out today we can expect a similar trading range today.GBPUSD hit a low of 1.6154 overnight, having hit an 8 month high of 1.6208 during yesterday morning. Price continues to hover above the key level at 1.6170 this morning, the trading range for the coming weeks is likely to remain between key support at 1.5880 and key resistance at 1.6300.

The UK Financial Services Authority Chairman Adair Turner will speak today and he is expected to suggest that the euro zone’s two bailout funds should be used to recapitalize the currency union’s stricken banks.

The UK public’s expectations for inflation in the coming year rose in April, presenting the Bank of England with an awkward policy dilemma for the recession-hit economy.
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WORLDWIDE

Credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s downgraded Spanish credit ratings by two notches yesterday, saying that it expects further deterioration of the country’s public finances amid economic contraction and the need to support banks.

Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy commented yesterday that the country’s ability to fund itself is at risk and that budget cuts are necessary due to an unmanageable deficit, also have not helped matters.

Eurozone economic confidence declined notably in April, wiping out the gains logged in the first quarter. The data fell more than expected to 92.8 from a revised 94.5 in March.

The weaker than expected Eurozone economic confidence report helped the US dollar to rebound from a 3-week low versus the Euro posting a low of 1.3202. Although general feeling is of Euro strength now it has broken key resistance at 1.3236, the trading range for the coming sessions is expected to stay between key support at 1.3005 and key resistance at 1.3385.

Pending home sales in the US rose by much more than anticipated in the month of March. The index rose by 4.1% in March when expectations were for a modest 1.0%.

New claims for US unemployment benefits dipped slightly in the third week in April coming in at a seasonally adjusted level of 388,000.

Overnight, the Bank of Japan decided to add further monetary stimulus to the economy through enhanced purchases of the government bonds, stepping up its efforts to boost economic growth and fight deflation. The Central Bank’s policy board unanimously voted to increase the total size of its asset purchase program by JPY 5 trillion. GBPJPY jumped from 130.17 to 131.72 within minutes of the news being released and has since steadily traded back down towards 130, the pair is currently residing at 130.51.

The Swiss Institute for Business Cycle Research (KOF) leading indicator for April was released this morning at 0.40 having been expected at 0.26. After the data, the Swiss franc weakened against most major currencies, GBPCHF moved from 1.4695 up to 1.4772 after the news.

The Four Diamond Swissôtel Chicago has completed the $10 million renovation of its lobby/bar and classic meeting space. Construction began in December 2011. Inspired by the work of the building’s original architect, Harry Weese, Swissôtel Chicago’s renovated lobby has been transformed into a welcoming oasis for guests. The lobby now features a modern design with natural elements and an earth tone palette that reflect the hotel’s Swiss heritage. This natural feel is set off by attention grabbing splashes of colour, dramatic art, and lighting elements like the artistic rainstorm created by thousands of dangling glass bubble fixtures. Backlit glass panels, etched with Chicago’s skyline, sit just behind the check-in area. Projected just about the bar area, Swissôtel Chicago’s Swiss Circle, by award-winning artist Jork André Dieter, changes colour to reflect various moods throughout the day. This illuminated work features two rings of Chicago landmarks and historic elements like Solider Field and Cloud Gate, while the centre shows off Chicago’s skyline and Lake Michigan.

Located in the lobby, Amuse is the hotel’s latest food and beverage concept offering seasonal small and shareable plate options with signature cocktails and wine pairings for each. Amuse appeals to all five senses with its aromatic and flavourful menu, DJ-style music to fit the mood and seating in an artistic, eye-engaging setting.

Check-in pods replaced the traditional bulky hotel front desk, affording a more welcoming experience for the guest upon arrival. Front desk agents will now work from laptop computers, giving them the flexibility to interact with guests even when they are away from their pod. The concierge will be armed with tablets for quick access to all necessary information a guest may need to know, and a Nervana Ghost Wall will act as a digital concierge for guests to check weather, map local routes, and research area attractions.

Swissôtel Chicago will be the first property to provide meeting planners and attendees with Nervana’s Bonfire Events Management app. This application tracks schedules, flights, and presentations, connects guests via a social site and sends alerts for any changes in scheduling. Meeting planners can use this technology in the newly renovated classic meeting space that’s been transformed to mimic the modern, monochromatic feel of the hotel’s 38,000 square foot Event Centre that opened in 2009.

Guests, geese and gourmet food were all part of the recipe for success at the re-launch of Inglewood Manor, a luxury Edwardian Grade II listed property based in Ledsham, South Wirral.Local businesses mingled with the Cheshire set in the sunshine as they explored the hotel, which has undergone a £1/2 million investment. They were able to take a closer look at the 29 bedrooms and refreshed public areas.

There was even a visit from Cllr Angela Clayton, Mayor of Ellesmere Port, who was given a guided tour by Hotel Manager Fiona Creed.

The showcase event was hosted to give people a chance to see the hotel’s new look and to give businesses the opportunity to find out more about its outstanding conference facilities.

Guests were also invited to experience some of wide ranging activities that delegates can enjoy when using the hotel. Activities included; archery, falconry, chocolate making and even geese herding!

There was also an opportunity to sample delights from the hotel’s menu and the sunshine even came out in time for a BBQ on the terrace overlooking the hotel’s immaculately tended 38 acres of grounds.

Fiona Creed, General Manager of Inglewood Manor Hotel comments: 
“After so much hard work, it’s been fantastic to open our doors and showcase the new rooms to local people and businesses. In the redesign of the bedrooms, we’ve attempted to retain the uniqueness and charm that makes the hotel so special and it’s been fantastic that people have responded so positively. We’re looking forward to more guests now being able to enjoy the new rooms over the coming year.”

The new bedrooms

The team at Inglewood Manor worked closely with designers to create the new look for the bedrooms, to ensure they delivered luxury and comfort to guests, whilst retaining the intrinsic idiosyncrasy and individualism of the hotel.

The bedrooms have been decorated in a warm, traditional colour palate to create a contemporary elegance that has been accessorised with stylish furnishings, all selected to sit in harmony with the building’s traditional elegance.

Each room has been given its own point of difference to ensure that they all have unique flourishes to delight guests.

The guest experience has been further enhanced with the installation of luxury bathrooms fitted with power showers and Molton Brown toiletries. Each room has been fitted with flatscreen TVs, iPod docking-station and laptop safe.

UK

Yesterday Q1 GDP figures were released for the UK and showed that the economy contracted for the second month in row, meaning the UK has technically re-entered recession as many feared last year. The published figure of -0.2% came as a surprise considering the market was expecting growth of 0.1%The poor GDP data only put a temporary end to sterling’s recent rally, which has seen the pound trade at its strongest against the dollar since early September and a 20-month high against the euro. GBPUSD hit a low of 1.6084 after the release but recouped those losses to trade at 1.6142 by the end of the London session. GBPEUR briefly fell to a low of 1.2162 before ending the session over 1.22 again.

In response, Chancellor Osbourne said yesterday “The one thing that would make the situation even worse would be to abandon our credible plan and deliberately add more borrowing and even more debt”

UK industrial output held steady in April and price pressures weakened. The industrial output balance was +24 in April, the same as in March. The highest level since March 2011, when the balance stood at +27.

Figures released overnight from Nationwide show Consumer Confidence rose sharply to 53 in March from 44 in February to hit its highest level since June 2011.

In contrast, this morning data released by BBA has shown UK Mortgage Approvals fell to 31.9k from 33.1 last month. Despite the disappointing data, the pound remains at similar levels to yesterday’s pre-GDP release GBPUSD is at 1.6188 and GBPEUR sits at 1.2222.
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WORLDWIDE

EURUSD climbed to fresh highs of 1.3236 during Wednesday’s session but retreated later on to trade at 1.3200 by the end of European trading.

The key release yesterday was FOMC interest rate decision and accompanying press statement. As expected interest rates remained on hold at 0.25%, but the Fed mentioned the economy has been expanding moderately, with the US labour market improving in recent months and household spending continuing to advance.

Despite improving conditions Fed Chairman Bernanke said officials see no rate increase before 2014.The US dollar weakened with GBPUSD hitting 1.6180 and EURUSD rising to 1.3229. QE3 will remain a possibility and this prospect is weighing heavy on the US dollar.

US Core Durable Goods orders dropped 4.2% in March, well below the 1.7% drop that was expected.

ECB President Mario Draghi yesterday welcomed latest IMF resources but warns governments must not become complacent and must continue with fiscal reforms. German Chancellor Merkel agreed with his call for structural reforms, but rejected stimulus spending to boost economic growth.

French presidential candidate Francois Hollande said yesterday that if he is elected in the May 6 election runoff, he will send other European Union leaders 4 proposals to amend the EU fiscal pact.

Germany’s economy is growing again and the government have said that expansion would accelerate this year. Predicting the economy will grow 0.7% this year and 1.6% next year.

In New Zealand, interest rates were kept on hold at 2.50%, noting that this level is appropriate for the time being. The central bank are said to be closely monitoring the situation and Governor Alan Bollard said the strong currency may lead to a policy reassessment in the future.

Marriott International’s global lifestyle hotel brand, Renaissance Hotels, has announced its plans to open a new 181-room Renaissance Hotel in Santiago, Chile, in 2013. The property will be operated by Administraciones y Operaciones Hoteleras Hotech S.A. under an agreement with Altamira Grupo Inmobiliario. The property is part of a larger complex which will also include a triple-A class office building.Situated on one of Santiago’s most prestigious avenues, Avenida Kennedy in the Vitacura district, Santiago’s upscale residential district, the Renaissance Santiago will be located across the street from the Mall Parque Arauco, which includes a number of high-end stores, a movie theatre, a bowling alley and great restaurants and nightlife.

In addition to the 181 guest rooms, the hotel will feature a three-meal-a-day restaurant affiliated to one of Chile’s most renowned chefs, a coffee bar and a terrace lounge. It will also feature four spacious meeting rooms, including a large ballroom; as well as an executive floor, a gift shop, fitness centre and swimming pool.

Renaissance Hotels is the flagship lifestyle brand for Marriott International where each property is unique and reflects the locale in which it resides. Renaissance Hotels are recognized around the world for always delivering a modern, sophisticated and authentic environment for travellers. The brand will open more than ten new hotels in 2012, and is currently represented in Latin America by the Renaissance Sao Paulo Hotel in Brazil.

Altamira Grupo Inmobiliario is a Chilean-based real estate development company specialized in high-end residential real estate projects. This will be Altamira’s first venture into the hotel Business alongside Marriott International.

Before we start to look at the nitty gritty of what happens inside the building, let’s for a moment consider how you are going to manage the process. After all you are not building a retail shed or a domestic block of flats, but a destination to which you hope people will come back to again and again. To achieve your goals in planning your hotel you need to be able to communicate and manage your development team. If you haven’t then we’d better look at some objectives for it and who should be in the team.The starting point is of course that you have done you market research as suggested in part 1. If you haven’t, stop reading this and do it now (Click here to read the article).

Let’s assume that you have progressed as outlined in pt 1. No doubt you have been impressed by some of the hotels you have seen, but equally you will be sure you can do better, so you are moving forward with confidence. You have the support of your bank, your accountant is enthusiastic and you know what star rating and price range you want to operate in. Now you need to find a designer who knows what they are doing and who should, if they are good, be able to save you their fee by knowing their way around the contract market (and no, not a purchasing agency).

I am not talking about the architect (good at the outside and at running a team, great on contracts and knowing everything -they say- but not an interiors specialist), or the builder, contractor, structural engineer, quantity surveyor, services engineer or kitchen specialist. I mean the person who understands the relationship of the internal parts of the hotel and how to make sure that they all contribute to the operational effectiveness and thereby the return to your bottom line.

Continued on page two…

UK

The UK has technically entered back into a recession after Preliminary GDP came in at -0.2% for Q1, continuing its decline from the fourth quarter where the economy shrank -0.3%. As a direct result GBPEUR dropped from 1.2217 to 1.2180, GBPUSD also fell from 1.6140 to 1.6089.UK public sector borrowing was higher than expected in March, but still met the government’s target for the fiscal year as a whole after borrowing for the previous month was revised down. March’s public finance figures suggest that the trend in the UK’s fiscal position continues to worsen.

GBPEUR traded as high as 1.2276 but sharply declined in the afternoons trading after Germany’s Finance Minister MR Schaeuble defended Germany’s austerity policy. The market slumped to a session low of 1.2214, the markets opened this morning around this level.

GBPUSD dropped off yesterday on the back of US house prices data, the market touched 1.6162 and traded as low as 1.6109, this morning markets opened around 1.6150. The near term support levels for sterling are now well above 1.60, currently at 1.6030 and 1.6075, this should provide sterling the platform to build and test the October high of 1.6165 again.
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WORLDWIDE

US home prices continued to fall at the start of the year, pushing Standard & Poor’s Case-Shiller home-price indexes down to new post-crisis lows in February. The index fell 0.8% in February from January.

Sales of new homes in the US also slipped to -7.1% in March after February’s figures were much stronger than first reported, showing that the long-struggling housing market continues its uneven recovery.

US Consumer Confidence decreases to 69.2 in April from 69.5 in March.

The Fed will repeat in a statement today that subdued inflation and economic slack will result in exceptionally low interest rates through at least late 2014. The Fed will also release policy makers’ forecasts for growth, unemployment, inflation and the appropriate path of the federal funds rate over the next several years.

EURUSD is currently trading around the 1.3210 level this morning, it touched a high of 1.3217 yesterday and a low of 1.3146.

Greece’s central bank governor warned Tuesday that the country’s future inside the euro zone could again be placed in doubt if the next Greek government fails to implement the reforms the country has promised its international creditors.

Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble speaking yesterday afternoon defended Germany’s austerity policy against criticism from abroad, saying it was the way to generate sustainable growth. “The situation in Germany is that if you reduce the deficit, consequently you strengthen growth forces,” said Schaeuble.

Irish business activity showed its strongest improvement in more than four years, but recovery for the troubled economy will take some time to take hold.

Data released from Canada yesterday showed retail sales declined unexpectedly in February for the first time since July 2011, dragged by the sharpest drop in sales of new cars in seven months.

Milan is a great city hosting a great fair. But is it too big to be worth a visit? Magazines send teams to cover the show, but even reporters say they couldn’t get into the parties because they were “rammed”. As for stands, the fairground boasts over 2,500 whilst there are another 500 formal and informal showcases in the city itself. However big your team how can one do other than pick products randomly from this number of stands? Web searches are surely a better way of researching than spending a week toiling around these great sheds The fair is the size of anything at the NEC plus Sleep plus Decorex all rolled into one (but being Italian at least the showground is designed with a great deal more flair than the NEC).

The view of many in the exhibitions industry is that the future lies with these mega shows but I wonder, do they really serve the design industry? Are they too big to be worthwhile?
Milan has 24 halls, pairs of halls labelled for various types of exhibitors – Kitchens, Bathrooms etc.. This at least narrows the number of halls an individual needs to look at. But there is no real differentiation between contract and domestic suppliers so finding relevant exhibitors is difficult. There is a moving walkway along the centre of the fairground, but it is nearly 2 kilometres long. The underground rail service arrives at an entrance so far from the press point that a bus is necessary to get to the relevant entrance. The publications list is so long that the press office gives out rucksacks to visiting press – bright red so that they become easily identifiable to exhibitors.

The fair itself is an endurance event. In the bathroom section alone there are over 170 exhibitors. Few show the innovation of Laufen, and some show downright bad design, even dangerous pieces in the context of an area where soap, water and nakedness are always going to make for an environment where hazard needs to be designed out. Just before I came to Milan I heard a BBC discussion in which an eminent designer said that recently if a designer started talking functionality in the cerebral world of high design he was sneered at as ‘trade’. Milan supported that thesis with design for dramatic impact overcoming any idea of functionality on so many stands. Whatever happened to form following function?

Continued on page two…

UK
In early trading yesterday USD held firm against GBP’s rise above 1.61; however, following talks by MP member Fisher, GBPUSD moved back to a high of 1.6134 and has since this morning traded up to the resistance at 1.6150. The upside target to close above is still 1.6165.
GBPEUR began the day at 1.2214 before sterling gained to 1.2271 at 4pm as the market digested economic information released from the Eurozone. Markets this morning have opened around 1.2255.
The FTSE lost 2% following worries within the Eurozone and investor flight to the safety of German bonds.

The level of mortgage lending to first time buyers has risen by 30% from February. Lending ending rose to £13.4bn from £10.3bn in February, and from £11.4bn a year ago.

The BoEs quarterly report shows an increase in cost of borrowing for businesses. These costs are broadly linked to an increased risk of default, and higher wholesale funding tariffs.

UK public sector net borrowing was expected to have increased to £15.0bn from February’s figure of £9.9bn. The actual figure was over £15.8bn.
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Worldwide
French, German and Dutch governments face a backlash for their austerity measures. The Stoxx Europe 600 index sank 2.3% on disappointing European data.

The composite output index of French Business shows a shrinking of output to 46.8 in April from 48.7 in March. Markit Economics suggest that that this drop was led by a slump in the French services sector

The ECB has said there is no chance of the issuance of joint obligation Euro Bonds because Germany would not support it.

Credit rating agency Moodys have warned Holland that the collapse of their current government would threaten their AAA credit rating.

In the absence of any notable USD data yesterday, EURUSD traded between a closer range of only 42 points between the high and the low of the European trading session. Trading from 1.3143 and 1.3101 and closing the session at 1.3131 yesterday. EURUSD has opened significantly higher this morning and already tested resistance levels at 1.3181.

German exports rose 2% in Q1 whilst imports declined. This leads to expectations of a trade surplus. The Deutsche Bundesbank says that whilst the economy is in good health, it lacks momentum.

According to ANZ analysts, it is now certain that the Royal Bank Australia will cut interest rates. Following a 0.1% rise in CPI and core inflation the question now is whether the RBA will cut by 50 basis points immediately or strategically cut by 25 this month and 25 next.

AUD lost 2 cent overnight. GBP has risen from a price of 1.5537 at the start of the week and peaked overnight at 1.5694.

25th April is a bank holiday in both for NZD and AUD

Hotel Indigo is pleased to announce the grand opening of the Hotel Indigo San Diego Del Mar. Following a multimillion-dollar renovation and rebranding, the 94-room hotel in downtown Del Mar offers guests sophisticated lodging with modern furnishings and a contemporary style, exuding the charm of the Del Mar community.Located at 710 Camino Del Mar, the property boasts a full-service day-spa, two pools, hot tub, sauna and bistro-style restaurant with a full bar, among other amenities. Upgraded guest rooms feature a fresh look with new furniture, luxurious linens, warm colours, tiled bathrooms, granite countertops and spa showers. Guests will feel in harmony with the Del Mar surroundings as each room features indigenous murals depicting elements from the Del Mar Racetrack and local beaches. Additionally, two ocean-view terraces, created by local design firm Design Line Interiors, allow guests to enjoy the temperate Southern California weather, with fire pits available for cooler evenings.

The Hotel Indigo San Diego Del Mar was the site of the original Stratford Inn, built in 1910. The upgraded décor reflects the Del Mar neighbourhood—from the Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds, to the breathtakingly beautiful beaches. The Del Mar Plaza, a shopping centre with more than 30 shops and boutiques, offers the best of the area’s apparel, collectibles, fine jewellery, artwork and home décor. Other nearby attractions includes Legoland, SeaWorld, Birch Aquarium, San Diego Botanic Garden, San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park. At the surrounding beaches, guests can enjoy recreational activities, including surfing, boating, swimming and jet skiing.

Continued on page two…

UK
GBPEUR posted a high of 1.2247 during Friday’s session. The pair traded at a low of 1.2192 before the better than expected UK Retail Sales data at 9.30am, sterling then strengthened in the afternoon on Friday and has since reopened today above the 1.22 levels. UK
GBPEUR posted a high of 1.2247 during Friday’s session. The pair traded at a low of 1.2192 before the better than expected UK Retail Sales data at 9.30am, sterling then strengthened in the afternoon on Friday and has since reopened today above the 1.22 levels.

GBPUSD traded around the 1.6050 until the release of the Retail Sales, sterling proceeded to gain throughout the day and posted a high of 1.6149, and has fallen back below1.61 this morning. Again, the key level for GBPUSD to break now is 1.6165 for further upside potential, until such time we could see this pair remain range bound between the strong support at 1.60 and the resistance at 1.6165.

Focus this week for the UK is the release of the Preliminary GDP figures for Q1, being released on Wednesday morning at 9.30am. Expected to post a 0.1% growth from last quarter’s -0.3%. If we post another negative we are technically in a recession.
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Worldwide
During Friday’s session EURUSD initially posted a low of 1.3127 and rallied throughout the day echoing GBPUSD movement to eventually post a high of 1.3227. However the pair has since fallen and currently resides around the 1.3150 levels finding support around 1.3130.

According to the National Association for Business Economics’ April survey released today, companies are growing more upbeat about the US economy this year and plan to take on more workers as demand improves. 78% of businesses, the most in a year, project the economy will expand more than 2% in 2012. This is up from 65% in the January report.
The US has several high tier data releases this week with Consumer Confidence, New Home Sales and Unemployment Claims all due out. However the two releases of particular note are the FOMC rate statement and press conference Wednesday evening and the Advanced GDP reading on Friday expected at 2.6% from a previous 3.0%.

Results from the first round of French elections yesterday showed that Francois Hollande won 28.6% of the vote against 27.1% for Sarkozy. Hollande’s victory may mean a collapse of the strong cooperation seen previously between Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The second ballot takes place on May 6th. French bond yields climbed last week, reflecting investor concern that Hollande may relax the nation’s deficit-tackling policy if he takes office.

As global finance chiefs talks ended yesterday in Washington, European Central Bank President Mario Draghi argued the ECB have done enough to stem the debt crisis by cutting interest rates and issuing more long-term bank loans.

The International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde secured $430bn in pledges for the IMF. The meetings ended yesterday in Washington with a doubling of its war chest but worryingly also exposed a number of conflicts among its 188 members. Lagarde fell short of her original $600bn goal as the US declined to chip in, while Canada proposed making it harder for Europe to tap aid.

Eurozone Manufacturing PMI was released this morning at 46.0, forecast was for 48. This figure represents a 5 month low. Eurozone services PMI also fell below forecast of 49.4, posting 47.9.

German Manufacturing PMI fell significantly in April, down to 46.3 from 49.0 in March. This reading was the lowest seen since July 2009. The Services sector remained upbeat in April though, posting 52.6 from 52.1 in March.

AUD weakened after Producer Price Index unexpectedly fell last quarter, adding to expectations the Reserve Bank will cut interest rates.

The preliminary HSBC China Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index, a gauge of nationwide manufacturing activity, rose to a two-month high of 49.1 in April compared with a final reading of 48.3 in March.

Camps Bay has golden sand and palm trees, a blue ocean and sun. The front is lined with busy cafés and I am told (by my mid-20’s nephews) quite a night life when I’m asleep. I’m a bit of an antique now, so driving along the front, as I do many days whilst I am in Cape Town, it seems to me to have the flavour of La Rambla in Barcelona or the Golden Mile in Blackpool but without the chips shops, ‘kiss me quick’ sombreros and candy floss. Whilst Cape Town’s V&A waterfront is the tourist centre, Camps Bay is the place for Cape Town’s cool set when they are not in Hout Bay.Standing back slightly from the main drag stands POD. It is terribly discreet, with no external signage to speak of except for miniscule lettering on the entrance to its underground secure car park. POD? The initials of the owner Paul O’Donnell, not the construction methodology. Designed by Greg Wright Architects it is an essay in stylish modernism.

The location gives the hotel views across the Camps Bay beach to the ocean – almost two oceans as not far from here the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean. Unfortunately this is the colder Atlantic, but with sunshine and high temperatures the hotel has pools to cool off in as well as the beach. Most of the 15 rooms have balconies, the larger rooms on the ground floor having private plunge pools as well as all having access to the bar and pool.

The Waldorf Hilton, London has just completed an £800,000 refurbishment of the Adelphi Suite function room. The revamp of Adelphi is part of a larger, multi-million pound refurbishment project undertaken to continue the hotel’s 1920s character and style. Steeped in history, the large marble columns in the Adelphi Suite, as with many other features of the hotel, are now listed, prohibiting any renovation, however, the rest of the suite has been given a new ‘champagne elegance’ colour palette. A timeless, elegant setting has been created and the art deco influence extends through to the furnishing and fittings.

The suite boasts stunning bespoke three-tiered chandeliers with polished brass rings and 1920’s flute glass shades; the original wall lights have also been restored (all restoration by Dernier & Hamlyn of course) with fluted glass shades to match. Fan designs, popular in the 1920s, appear in the design of the carpet and are also reflected in the curtain trim.

Floor to ceiling, fully opening acoustic partitions have been installed to give the room the flexibility of three separate event spaces. In addition to re-upholstered furnishings, the new suite also benefits from a state-of-the art full architectural lighting and AV system, ideal for conferences and events.

Peter Beckwith, General Manager, The Waldorf Hilton, London said, “The Adelphi Suite marks the start of the 2012 refurbishment plan and continued efforts to provide a high quality, unique setting for all of our guests.

“The hotel has beautiful architecture and with this in mind, we have endeavoured to recreate the sophistication and style celebrated in the 1920s, which we feel reflects the elegance of the building.”

The Adelphi Suite has a capacity of 450 and is the ideal location for corporate events, weddings and private receptions.

The refurbishment of The Adelphi Suite follows in the footsteps of the acclaimed Good Godfrey’s Bar and Lounge refurbishment, which was completed in 2011, and is now one of the most talked about cocktail bars in London.

Opened in 1908, pre-dating Selfridges, The BBC, The V&A and The Museum of London, The Waldorf Hilton exemplifies great English grandeur. Fox Linton, the interior designer tasked with refurbishing the Adelphi Suite, drew upon the hotel’s rich history and 1920’s glamour as inspiration to reflect the style and elegance of the building’s architecture.

Apartment 58 has now opened its doors offering a new global concept and accessible work/socialising space for the creative industry. Apartment 58 aims to offer a high-tech home from home where members can access and use the apartment for both work and play. The Soho apartment can be found at 58 Poland St with an Apartment 58 in Notting Hill ready shortly after this summer. East London is the next stop with all 3 London apartments alive and kicking before 2013, and plans already underway to open 3 apartments in each major fashion capital by 2015.The concept is simple: intimate apartment and bar spaces with understated design and personal access available for members who can use the space to work, hold meetings, host events or simply socialise with some friends over a cocktail. The brainchild of Alan Grant, founder of Notting Hill Arts Club and Cherry Jam, Apartment 58 will have a strong focus on technology – a paperless haven for those that are green. ‘We want to make creative hub for the next generation, to relate to those working in fashion, film, music or design who perhaps don’t have their own studios just yet but still want a beautiful space to work in. Apartment 58 will help the industry day to day; our members can let themselves in with their own key, access the Cloud to work off an Ipad or Mac, host sample sales or launches and even pick up their mail.’

Grant and his management team of ‘Landlords’ have approached an advisory committee of ‘Tenants,’ made up of industry influencers and creatives. These ‘Tenants’ are responsible for the selection of the ‘Friends’ of the apartment and will invite their network to visit Apartment 58 and become members. Once signed up all ‘Friends’ will receive a ‘Friendship Card’ a premium benefits lifestyle card, which is both a key to each apartment as well as a global credit charge card; the preferred currency in Apartment 58. ‘Friends’ will also be privy to an enthralling programme and events calendar, enabling access to new products and exclusive services.

Mia Wallenius, who currently works for Klaus Haapaniemi as Art Director, Designer and Producer, has been appointed chief of the simple and clean interior design. The design concept of Apartment 58 is to make the space feel like a home, with a collection of vintage mid-century classic furniture and objects that have been lovingly collected over time to give the space a lived-in feel. Here the colour scheme is muted yet cosy with deep purples, chocolate browns, and burning ambers mixed will light blues and greys. Key design features include bespoke wallpapers and soft furnishings by Klaus Haapaniemi, a grand table and bespoke seating which is perfect for both meetings and dinner parties. Apartment 58 will curate and showcase work by emerging designers and artists, giving them a natural platform to be seen.

Apartment 58 offers a space to socialise as well as work, and the team have trained among some of the best in exceptional hospitality and service. Food and drink will be a strong focus in all venues, and whether ‘Friends’ wish to have a long lunch or host an intimate dinner, Apartment 58 has a local gourmet delivery service on hand. This service offers a menu cherry-picked from the best restaurants and cafes in Soho, which is then hand delivered to the apartment – just like take away in your own home. The bar team will provide an encyclopaedic knowledge of drinks, creativity and standard of service. Drawing on an extensive experience and skills from the guys who put together The Light Bar at St Martins Lane and Purple Bar at the Sanderson, Apartment 58 bar will be welcoming, warm and will make you feel fully at home.

Comprised of like-minded individuals who share the same passion for creativity, Apartment 58 is set to become a global institution for the next generation of artistic leaders.

The ownership group, Doloma Investments of North Brunswick, NJ has recently announced the opening of the brand new Staybridge Suites located on 2195, US Highway 1 South, North Brunswick NJ. The hotel is operated by Global Vision Hotels of Boston, MA. The Staybridge Suites North Brunswick NJ will extend the best service and value in the area.The Staybridge suites, North Brunswick will feature 84 brand new apartment style studio, one bedroom and two bedroom suites. Each suite is equipped with a full kitchen with microwave, stove-top, dishwasher and full size refrigerator making it perfect for guests staying more than a few nights. The suites also feature a work desk with multiple outlets, free high speed wired and wireless Internet access, flat screen TV’s and DVD player.

Additional features include outdoor BBQ pavilion, indoor pool and fitness centre, a 24 hour convenience store, expansive great room with a fireplace and large flat screen TV. The complimentary amenities are free high-speed wireless Internet access, hot buffet breakfast and the legendary Social Evening Reception. The hotel also offers a shuttle service to transport in-house guests to their work place or to local restaurants and attractions within a 5 mile radius.

UK

GBPEUR reached a 19-month high of 1.2250 and traded above the 1.22 level throughout the session on speculation the Bank of England will pause its stimulus program next month. The mid-range resistance at 1.2235 was broken yesterday, so a test of the next level at 1.2285 could come during today\’s session.
GBPUSD followed suit and hit a 5-month high of 1.6076 and traded above the psychological 1.60 level throughout the session. After successfully breaking the resistance at 1.6070, gains may be capped around the 1.6150 level and sterling has strong support now at 1.60, so the pair may be rangebound during the coming session.

Following on from Wednesday’s gains against the AUD sterling hit a fresh high of 1.5565 yesterday, the highest level seen since Dec 21st 2011.

This morning UK Retail Sales YoY for March came in at 3.3% against forecast of 1.3%. This much better than expected data has caused GBPUSD to rally 30 points to 1.6121.
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Worldwide

Consumer confidence in the Eurozone fell in April to -19.8 as fears that the region has re-entered recession in the first quarter of the year grow.

US Existing home sales fell in March for the second-straight month, a sign that the housing market\’s long-awaited recovery may be flagging. US unemployment rose to its highest level since January and the Philadelphia Fed said its index of general business activity within the factory sector fell to 8.5 in April from 12.5 in March. However, the index of leading economic indicators in March posted the sixth increase in a row suggesting continued economic momentum.

EURUSD opened trading at 1.3134 yesterday and tested the support levels around 1.3074 before the Spanish and French bond auctions began. After the 2pm release of US data, EURUSD went on to a high of 1.3151 and is still trading around that level this morning. The next technical level to break at close is 1.3070 for any more downside trends.

During yesterday\’s critical bond auctions, Spain sold €2.54bn in 2 and 10 year bonds, slightly more than the target of €2.5bn. France sold €8bn in debt as risks linked to the French presidential election drove up yields.

German PPI came in better than expected this morning. Unlike some of the Eurozone countries which are currently struggling, Germany are expected to post growth figures of 0.9% for 2012, an increase from the previous published figure of a fall of 0.8%, with GDP expected to increase by 2%.

Japan reported the fastest export growth in a year the figure which was boosted by car exports to the US and a smaller-than-expected trade deficit, aiding prospects of a sustained recovery in the world’s third-biggest economy.

The yen weakened against all 16 of its most traded peers as Bank of Japan officials signalled they’ll keep acting to depreciate the currency. Japanese policy makers will meet on April 27 amid speculation they will expand the BoJ asset-purchase fund for the second time in three months.

A new chapter begins at the Sofitel Plaza Hanoi on West Lake as the five-star hotel has officially opened the doors on its refreshed rooms and spaces in a glamorous re-launch party on April 12.

The culmination of three stages of renovations, the unveiling marks the hotel’s most significant overhaul since its grand opening in 2001. A who’s who of Hanoi’s notables, celebrities and media gathered for the re-opening, featuring a groundbreaking fashion show by luxury French brand, Kenzo.Extensive upgrades throughout the 317-room property include a full renewal of the hotel’s Plaza Ballroom, luxury accommodation, and business facilities, as well as inside-out makeovers of its flagship Chinese restaurant and rooftop bar.

With a prime address on tree-lined Thanh Nien Boulevard overlooking two legendary lakes and the meandering curves of the Red River, the hotel’s new design fuses Hanoi’s two cultural traditions in a mix of contemporary French elegance and Vietnamese charm.

Polished marble floors, dark wood furniture, Oriental décor and exquisite lighting set the tone for a new oasis of luxury in the centre of a capital that is rapidly reinventing itself as the next regional hub.

Hanoi’s two Sofitel properties are the only five-star hotels in the city that have undergone a thorough refitting of their facilities within the past three years. The Sofitel Plaza Hanoi called on architect Victor Loh of renowned Singaporean firm DP Design to mastermind its redesign.

LUX LIVING
The hotel’s most sought-after room category, the Luxury Club Rooms, were completely remodeled to evoke a more open, spacious setting with transparent bathroom doors, a lattice wood divider, and built-in cabinet; while all-glass windows deliver spectacular views of the sprawling capital below.

A single Vietnamese artifact now serves as a point of interest in the doorway entrance, and the bathroom is virtually aglow in new lighting and polished marble. Sofitel’s MyBed setting anchors the room’s soothing palette of earth tones, pale yellow and vibrant purple accents.

Larger minibars, a built-in connectivity hub, a 37-inch LCD flat-screen television and complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access make up the room’s technological upgrades.

Those staying in the hotel’s Luxury Club Rooms on the 15th to 18th floors have access to the privileges of the Club Sofitel. The hotel transformed its 17th floor business and social venue with fresh furnishings and tropical touches, and installed two new iMacs for guest use.

RESTAURANTS
Closer to the ground, a sleek reinterpretation of Oriental décor has taken over the hotel’s popular Chinese fine-dining venue Ming Restaurant.

Silver detailing on the backs of the restaurant’s ivory-toned seats, a line of potted bonsai and a charming tea lounge evidence the restaurant’s Cantonese roots.

New additions to the venue include two open kitchens where fresh noodles and more than 100 versions of handmade Dim Sum are prepared in view of diners; as well as three VIP rooms with views of the street, where large and small parties can dine in privacy.

A CROWN JEWEL
Perched 20 floors above the city, the lofty Summit Lounge was re-imagined with the allure of a penthouse.

The lounge’s all-new outdoor wooden deck beckons visitors with an invigorating breeze and mesmerizing views of Hanoi skyline. At night, the luminous vista permeates the indoor lounge area through wrap-around glass walls.

Completely redone with an illuminated arched ceiling, lush sofas, a lengthy bar and dedicated DJ booth, the lounge’s deep purples, blues and reds set the mood for a night of relaxation. Waitresses in French maid outfits and bartenders in stylish suits complement the bar’s novel concept.

Celebrity chef Will Meyrick of Jimmy Lik’s fame took part in the lounge’s rejuvenation by creating a trendsetting menu of culinary cocktails and upscale Asian hawker fare.

MEETING ROOMS
On the second floor facing leafy Pho Duc Chinh, the Zen-inspired Business Centre was rebuilt in a new location connecting the Plaza Ballroom to the Hoi An Room, one of the hotel’s nine meeting venues.

The hotel’s capacious 420-square-metre ballroom was redecorated with leather-covered walls, a sunset-hued carpet and enormous sparkling chandeliers.

On the ground floor, an all-new space, the Library, holds a six-person board table, sofa setting and 50-inch television. Splashes of magenta and framed photographs by photographer Tim Walker make the Library an inspiring setting to talk business.

The enhanced guest experience at the Sofitel Plaza Hanoi does not stop with its hardware. As part of its repositioning, the hotel carried out a fresh round of service training for all levels of its staff, with emphasis on developing Vietnamese employees to play greater roles in the hotel industry.

GM Antoine Lhuguenot, who was part of the renovation project in its early stages, returned to Hanoi in Feb. 2012 to usher in the hotel’s re-launch.

Bank of England policy makers decided against further QE last month and acknowledged that official data may show that the UK economy entered recession in the first quarter. The MPC voted 8-1 to leave QE unchanged, with Adam Posen, previously the arch-dove of the committee making a surprise switch.

Claimant count data also surprised markets yesterday, the number of people claiming benefit rose by only 3.6k from a forecasted 6.6k. These surprise events triggered significant sterling strength across most major pairs.

Sterling peaked at 1.2232 against euro, the highest rate since August 30th 2010. The pair closed at 1.2217, well above the key 1.2150 level, a much anticipated event which could lead on to further gains. The topside target now appears to be 1.2285 with 1.2235 proving to be a mid range resistance.

GBPUSD responded similarly and touched a high of 1.6042 from a low of 1.5895 for the day, trading upwards overnight to around 1.6065 this morning. The recent break back above 1.60 now opens the door for fresh upside towards the October peak of 1.6150. However, additional gains beyond 1.6150 should prove hard to come by, once again there are risks for a reversal back down towards key support at 1.5800.

GBPAUD also gained significantly and achieved the 2-week high of 1.5473.

GBPJPY traded at a session high of 130.445 back above 130, a significant position prior to possible further intervention from the Japanese Central Bank.
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EURUSD began trading at 1.3104 and traded downwards to 1.3057 until 2.30pm, coinciding with the release of EIR Crude oil stocks which were twice the expected figure. EURUSD closed the session yesterday at 1.3120 and opening markets this morning with little change seen overnight.

This morning’s Spanish bond auctions will be of particular interest. The bill auction on Tuesday saw solid demand but the previous bond auction was disappointing. If the Spanish auction disappoints again, the euro could move to 1.30 EURUSD and 1.2285 GBPEUR.

The Eurozone’s current account swung from a surplus to a deficit of €1.3bn in February from a downwardly revised surplus of €3.7bn in January. European Construction output MoM for February fell dramatically to -7.1% from January’s -0.5%.

Finance leaders gather in Washington this week to discuss boosting resources for the International Monetary Fund, the German central bank is prepared to provide up to €41.5bn to the fund and will press leading non-European economies this week to match Europe’s firewall against its debt crisis.

The IMF raised its outlook for global economic growth to 3.5% for the year, but warned that while prospects have improved in recent months, Europe’s debt crisis and a potential oil price spike still threaten to destroy a fragile recovery.

MBA Mortgage Applications in the US improved from the previous -2.4% with 6.9%.

The Bank of Canada said the economy will be stronger this year than it earlier forecast as companies become more confident in US growth and as risks from Europe’s debt crisis diminish. The world’s 10th largest economy will expand 2.4% in 2012, up from a January projection of 2%, the central bank said today.

National Australia Bank’s Business Confidence was released this morning at -1, falling for the first 3 months of 2012.

To trade or for any other enquiry, please contact me on +44 (0)20 3005 8911.
Jamie Lesinski
Senior Dealer

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has recently announced the opening of the completely renovated Crowne Plaza Danbury, formerly the Danbury Plaza Hotel. Located near numerous businesses and corporate offices in Danbury, Conn., just off Interstate 84 at 18 Old Ridgebury Road, the five-story, 242-room hotel offers first-class luxury accommodations; an urban and sophisticated design, using a mix of bright and muted colours that has transformed the hotel’s appearance; exceptional meeting facilities; and close proximity to leisure attractions.

For meeting and events, the hotel’s 26,000 square feet of meeting space has been completely remodelled. It includes 14 meeting rooms and three ballrooms, the largest of which can accommodate a banquet for up to 500 guests.

Among the major corporations with nearby locations are General Electric, Boehringer Ingelheim, Honeywell and Pitney Bowes. The Crowne Plaza is also just a short distance from Western Connecticut State University and Danbury Hospital. The hotel offers easy access to major airports in both Connecticut and New York.

New to the hotel is Jays, a sleek and exciting restaurant and lounge with urban sophistication. Serving upscale, casual American fare, the restaurant’s signature dish is the Jays’ Filet, with house-made steak sauce and truffle fries. Guests can also enjoy casual dining at the Fusion Café, which serves breakfast and lunch, and get a drink at Whisper’s Lounge.

Amenities at the Crowne Plaza include a fitness facility, full-service business centre and gift shop and an indoor, heated pool and outdoor tennis courts that will open this summer. Free wireless Internet service is available in guest rooms and public areas.

The Crowne Plaza Danbury is independently owned by Jesta Hospitality CT, LLC, and operated by JBHA Management under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.

UK
Sterling traded within a tight range against the euro on Tuesday, posting a high of 1.2148 against a low of 1.2102 as the pair failed to break the resistance and support levels of 1.2149 on the upside and 1.21 on the downside.

GBPUSD traded within a 1 cent trading range on Tuesday, rallying from the lows of 1.5861 to post a high of 1.5969 on the release of the Consumer Price Index for the UK, which although showing a rise came out in line with expectations.

Bank of England policy maker Adam Posen told reporters after a speech in London last night that the quickening pace of price rises in March hasn’t changed his view that inflation in the UK is on a downward trend. “If core inflation doesn’t come down on a sustained basis–then we have to rethink” Adding, a single month’s data isn’t enough to change his view.

Market will pay particular attention to this morning’s release of the Bank of England’s meeting minutes from the interest rate meeting held earlier this month. Forecasts are that the voting pattern for interest rates will be 9-0 in favour of no movement, more significant will be the result of votes on quantitative easing. Worldwide
Reports on Tuesday showed German ZEW economic expectations increased slightly in April, despite expectations for a minor fall. The economic expectations index rose to 23.4 in April from March’s unrevised 22.3.

Consumer prices in the 17 countries that share the euro rose at a stronger pace in March than estimated earlier, final official data showed Tuesday posting a figure of 2.7% against a forecast 2.6%.

In the much awaited Spanish bond auction on Tuesday, Spain sold €3.18bn in 12 and 18 month bills and their 10-year yield prices fell back below the 6% rate to 5.9%.

EURUSD started trading around 1.3090 but rose to a day high 1.3172 after ZEW data and the successful Spanish bond auction boosted the euro.

The Washington based ‘International Monetary Fund’ raised its global growth forecast for the first time in more than a year, with the US boosting the outlook while recent improvements remain “very fragile.” According to their report the world economy will expand 3.5% this year, compared with a January projection of 3.3%.

The yen retreated from a six-week high versus the dollar of 80.84 after Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Kiyohiko Nishimura said the central bank is ready to implement additional easing if necessary, USDJPY rose to 81.38 as traders prepared for the intervention.

The Swiss Government may appoint Thomas Jordan as President of the Swiss National Bank as soon as today, filling the post left vacant by Philipp Hildebrand after the scandal involving his wife betting on CHF movements.

The US Department of Labor said it can’t promise journalists they will be able to transmit market-sensitive economic releases at exactly the same time under changes resulting from the first review of procedures in a decade. Under the current system, credentialed journalists in so- called lockups are given data in advance of their release to the public, allowing time to prepare stories, headlines and tables.
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To trade or for any other enquiry, please contact me on +44 (0)20 3005 8911.
Jamie Lesinski
Senior Dealer

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is pleased to announce the opening of The Westin Xian, marking the entry of the Westin brand into the Shaanxi province of China and one of the four major ancient civilizations in the world, along with Athens, Cairo and Rome. A haven for rest and relaxation, The Westin Xian is located just steps away from the ancient city’s myriad cultural attractions, restaurants, and shops. The Westin Xian is the first Westin in the world and the first hotel in Xian to have its own museum, paying tribute to the ancient history of China with its exceptional collection of over 2,000 artifacts. As the city’s premier international five star hotel, The Westin Xian offers refined Chinese hospitality in a storied location, allowing guests to enjoy a refreshing and renewing travel experience.Heavenly Accommodations
The Westin Xian features 329 rooms and 32 one- to two-bedroom apartments. Upon welcome, guests to The Westin Xian are immediately invited to relax and renew with a sensory-rich experience that evokes tranquility and retreat after the rigors of travel. The spacious accommodations are tastefully designed with soothing tones, and each features a flat screen LCD television, rainforest shower, extra-large closets, personal refreshment center, and Westin’s signature Heavenly bed to ensure guests enjoy a good night’s sleep.

Harmonious Modern Design
Designed by Neri & Hu Design, The Westin Xi’an property covers nearly 60 acres and is comprised of a 5-star hotel, adjacent museum, and shopping centre. Harmoniously fusing the indigenous culture with modern design, Westin Xi’an showcases a Tang dynasty architectural style. Measuring approximately 80,000 square meters, the main building features a covered porch and garden courtyard. Guests access cafes, restaurants, and other auxiliary facilities via this interior landscape. In alignment with the Westin’s wellness ethos, the hotel’s indoor/outdoor layout instills guests with the pleasure of being close to nature.

First Westin Hotel to Feature Its Own Museum
Guests are invited to explore their cultural sides at the Xian Qujiang Museum of Fine Arts at The Westin Xian. This is the first Westin in the world and the first hotel in Xian to have its own museum, paying tribute to the ancient history of China with its exceptional collection of over 2,000 artifacts.

Epicurean Adventures
The Westin Xian also offers a variety of epicurean dining experiences—Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Seasonal Tastes presents nourishing and imaginative menu creations using the freshest produce and ingredients. Zen5es specializes in innovative and traditional Cantonese dishes which are prepared and presented with passion and flair. At Mai, guests can immerse themselves in the culture and flavors of modern and contemporary Japanese cuisine. Located at street level, Mai is a hip favorite amongst hotel guests and locals alike. Daily Treats is ideal for a quick coffee and light bites such as a gourmet sandwich and Lobby Lounge is the place to relax and elevate your senses either day or night with a cocktail or hot Westin Jing Tea. Oversized windows provide views of the Great Wild Goose Pagoda while live music in the evenings creates a pleasant atmosphere.

Renew and revitalize
The Westin Xian invites guests to maintain their wellness routine while on the road with the WestinWORKOUT Gym and indoor swimming pool.

With more than 3,300 square meters of meeting space and three banquet spaces, The Westin Xian provides a new and exceptional destination for events. The flexible function space can be arranged in a variety of way to accommodate everything from 1,500 person cocktails to intimate dinners. Outdoors, an 1,860 square meter sunken garden with waterfall provides the perfect ambience for weddings or cocktail gatherings.

GBPEUR yesterday traded in a narrow range opening the day at 1.2159, reaching a high of 1.2176 before closing the day at the low 1.2135. This closing rate is significant as the level needed for further upside trends is a close above 1.2150.

Sterling advanced for a second day versus the Euro after an industry report showed asking prices for UK homes continue to rise, adding to signs Britain’s economy will outperform Europe’s.
GBPUSD saw a gradual rise through the day, opening at 1.5828 and closing the day at its high of 1.5888. The support and resistance target levels to break at close still remain at 1.5800 and 1.6065 respectively. The currency pair is trading in a range and this is expected to continue until tomorrows MPC meeting minutes are released.

Data released this morning shows that UK CPI YoY rose to 3.5% as expected, the first monthly rise since September last year. This reduces the likelihood of further QE in the near term and could mean the Bank of England may have to tighten monetary policy in future meetings.EURUSD dropped to a monthly low of 1.2994 yesterday, but began retracing during the afternoon to close the session at 1.3080. This morning the pair is trading back above 1.31. Analysts are looking for a close below 1.3000 to see the downward momentum gather pace.

Federal Reserve officials are grappling with how they might eventually exit from their plan to keep interest rates low through late 2014 without jolting markets.

Fed member Bullard stated yesterday that the US should hold monetary policy steady when it meets next week and continue to evaluate its options for the future.

US Core Retail Sales were released at 0.8%, after forecasts of just 0.3%. This is up on February and 6.1% higher than a year ago.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy Tuesday said in a radio interview yesterday that the weaker euro is good news as it boosts the competitiveness of European exporters.

Spanish 10-year bond yields jumped to 6.16% the highest level since December 1st.

Spain will sell 12 and 18 month bills today, followed by auctions of debt due in October 2014 and January 2022 on April 19th.

China’s yuan tumbled against the dollar as the central bank doubled the daily trading band, in one session USDCNY weakened 0.2% to 6.315.

AUD declined against 15 of its 16 major peers after minutes of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s last meeting signalled that the central bank is ready to cut interest rates if inflation eases. The minutes reaffirmed that the next rate reduction hinges on an April 24 report on first-quarter inflation. GBPAUD moved from 1.5280 at 3pm yesterday and is currently

Plans to build 201 apartments, a 170-bed hotel, and circa 500 sq m of mixed commercial space in Liverpool’s Baltic/Cornhill are being submitted to the city council later this month.Neptune Developments are submitting the planning application for the £45 million scheme which includes proposals for four buildings on the site. The first will contain 159 apartments and circa 200 square metres of leisure/ retail space; the second will contain 42 apartments; and the third and fourth will be outline applications for a 170 bed hotel and a building with uses which could include health, leisure, offices or residential units respectively.

The Baltic/Cornhill site is on Wapping, opposite the King’s Waterfront and near to the Liverpool One retail area. Plans by Windsor Developments to develop the site in 2006 were halted when developer went into liquidation and the site has been mothballed ever since.

Steve Parry, Neptune Developments Managing Director, said: “This is a key site in the heart of Liverpool and its proximity to the Liverpool Echo Arena and Conference Centre, Liverpool One, and of course our Mann Island scheme, make it a very attractive proposition.

“We are working closely with the city council and with local residents to ensure that our proposals are absolutely right for the area and we look forward to turning what is currently an eyesore into the final piece of the jigsaw for this vibrant area of Liverpool.”

Balfour Beatty has been brought on board as the contractor for the scheme which is being designed by Liverpool architect’s Falconer Chester Hall.

The plans also include the completion of the underground car park to create 330 spaces for residents, employees and other visitors, and the creation of a pavement café and other planting and landscaping work.

Subject to the planning process, Neptune hope to be on site as early as Summer this year.

SLIM – DINING, LOUNGE & POOLSIDE FURNITURE
The Slim collection of modern design outdoor furniture from Viteo is characterised by sleek profiles and a pure, minimal style. This look is the result of the choice of materials used; thin Corian is thermo-formed into ergonomic shapes and combined with a marine grade stainless steel frame, achieving a delicate, slim appearance. Matching cushions are available in a wide range of fabrics.PURE LOUNGE
Pure Lounge is a striking collection where linearity and comfort are perfectly combined. The use of various highest quality materials of different appearances creates luxurious furniture which can express everyone’s individuality. The collection is fundamentally pure in design; the basic modular elements are available in teak, concrete, Corian and white powder coated aluminium, with sumptuous cushions to match. The many combinations lend themselves to a host of different environments. With the addition of a fire table to the collection, a campfire-like atmosphere will turn Summer evenings into a memorable experience.

OUTDOOR KITCHEN
The Outdoor Kitchen from Viteo offers a new experience for outdoor cooking. The collection includes appliances such as a tepanyaki grill, wok burner, electric grill, gas hotplates and even a kitchen sink. New possibilities for cooking and entertaining outdoors are opened up, allowing you the pleasure of cooking more and more outside. High quality materials such as teak, stainless steel and Corian provide long-lasting performance, as do the Gaggenau electrical household appliances.

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Lonrho and Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou’s easyGroup are delighted to announce the opening of their first hotel in Johannesburg for later this year. Branded as part of Sir Stelios’s “easyHotel” chain, the 120 room budget hotel will be created from the conversion of three floors of the classically designed landmark building, formerly Stuttafords department store. Work will start next month and the hotel is expected to receive guests in November 2012. Situated at the corner of Rissik and Pritchard Streets in the heart of Johannesburg’s Central Business District (“CBD), the no-frills but comfortable hotel occupies one of the most high profile locations in the country. Rissik Street neighbours retail stores Jet and Edgars as well as the Johannesburg High Court. The CBD is also home to many central and local government offices as well as the headquarters of several international mining companies.

The easyHotel.com Rissik Street is the first hotel under the exclusive 20 year master franchise agreement (“MFA”) that Lonrho enjoys with easyHotel.com. Together, easyHotel and Lonrho are committed to establishing an easyHotel network across Africa. The MFA provides Lonrho with the exclusive rights to the easyHotel.com brand in Africa and sets out an agreed opening schedule for fifty properties by 2016. Opening its first easyHotel at the heart of the Johannesburg, the commercial capital of South Africa, demonstrates Lonrho Budget Hotels’ corporate objective of operating hotels in Africa’s high demand, high growth destinations.

easyHotel will be the first trans-continental hotel brand in Africa specifically designed to be accessible to many, not a select few. easyHotel’s unique low-cost business model permits the customer to enjoy an international standard bedroom at a highly competitive price. The “easy” brand is one of the world’s most recognised and successful value for money brands and easyHotel.com Rissik Street will be built and operated to easyGroup’s exacting international standards, providing clean, safe and branded hotel accommodation for people travelling on business, leisure and visiting friends and family.

David Lenigas, Executive Chairman of Lonrho commented:
“This new hotel project between Sir Stelios and Lonrho starts the roll-out of easyHotels.com throughout Africa. easyHotel.com Rissik Street (a Lonrho Hotel) will be the first of many hotels designed to give Africans and visitors to Africa a first world hotel experience at a budget price starting from as low as US$29 per room per night. There is a large gap in the market for a quality budget hotel and the easyHotel.com room offering is ideally suited to fill this much needed gap across the Continent.

“Lonrho is already a significant brand name across Africa. We believe that combining it with the “easy” brand, which is well-known for highly successful budget operation, to create the Lonrho easyHotel.com chain will satisfy the growing demand from consumers across the Continent.”

Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, Chairman of easyGroup commented:
“easyHotel is all about simple comfort and great value . So I’m delighted to bring our first African hotel to Johannesburg. The city has a wealth of attractions and events of interest to both leisure and business visitors, and this new easyHotel will allow them to enjoy the best of what Johannesburg has to offer – without the expense. I’m confident that easyHotel fans will soon be putting South Africa on their destinations wish list.

“I’m looking forward to working closely with David Lenigas and his team as we begin bringing quality, value-for-money services to Africa.”

AYANA Resort and Spa Bali has completed a renovation of over 200 hotel rooms and suites, resulting in a major upgrade to guest comfort, amenities and overall experience with stylish new interiors and brand new furniture and decor.Recently announced Asia’s Best Resort as voted by Conde Nast Traveler readers and Asia-Pacific’s Best Spa Resort by DestinAsian readers, there are no signs of complacency as AYANA continually invests to keep its facilities and services at the pinnacle of global hospitality standards.

The renovation has upgraded all categories of rooms in the Hotel, from standard rooms through to ocean suites and the privileged Club Floor. The design and style remains modern Balinese with canopied beds and furniture featuring intricate carvings by Balinese artisans, traditional textiles, beautiful artworks, plush sofas and cosy daybeds on balconies. Modern elements are evident in marble floors, chic lighting and bathrooms with rain showers.

The Club Floor, consisting of 71 Club Rooms and Suites, includes special benefits and privileges such as exclusive access to the Club Lounge, with complimentary Food & Beverage presentations all day. The new dinner menu features a different restaurant each night, allowing guests to enjoy a culinary journey of the resort’s seven dining venues. New iPads are also available for guest use loaded with practical and popular applications such as social networking and E-books.

Following the upgrade, the resort has launched a new Club Connections Package to provide Club-level guests with even more benefits, such as internet access in their rooms, sunset cocktails at Rock Bar, thalassotherapy at the Aquatonic Seawater Therapy Pool, cultural dinner and dance performance at Langit Theatre, and airport transfers.

The Rezidor Hotel Group announces the Radisson Blu Hotel Conakry in Guinea. The property featuring 249 rooms is scheduled to open in 2014. “We are proud to arrive in the Republic of Guinea, the 68th country where Rezidor is present”, said Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor. Guinea is rich in minerals and other natural resources. Its mining sector and refinery industry are the driving forces behind the economic growth of this Western African country. The port and capital city of Conakry is the country’s trade hub and first stop for most international tourists visiting the country.

“Growth in the emerging markets of Africa has been a major focus for Rezidor in recent years. The signing of this property is in line with our asset smart strategy to develop Radisson Blu hotels in leading African capital cities. We now have 43 hotels and over 10,000 rooms in operation or under development across 17 countries in Africa”, continued Ritter.

Eissame Halabi-Ahma of Guinenne de Gestion Immobilière & Hotelière SA, owner of the mixed use development which includes the hotel, added: “We are very excited about joining forces with Rezidor. Unique projects like this one require a strong brand and an experienced and committed hotel operator. We are glad that we found both with Radisson Blu and Rezidor.”

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Conakry is situated next to the US embassy in an up-market business and residential precinct of Conakry that attracts many international companies and government administration offices. The new football stadium which will host the African Cup of Nations in 2014 will be located 2 kilometres from the site. Part of a mixed use development, the property sits on a cliff with views of the Atlantic Ocean. Besides 249 rooms with signature services such as free high speed internet access, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Conakry will feature several restaurants and bars, including an outdoor terrace and rooftop F&B outlet. The hotel will also offer about 1,580m2 of conference and meeting facilities, an outdoor swimming pool and spa. Serviced apartments are planned in the future on the site which the hotel will operate along with a casino which will be operated by a third party.

Alila Jakarta, one of Indonesia’s most innovative hotels for business travellers, has launched a new Executive Lounge, providing a chic, chill out zone for visitors staying in the Executive rooms, as well as Club and Alila Suites. In keeping with the contemporary, minimalist style of the design hotel, the new 7th floor lounge is a cool and relaxing retreat with modern interiors, ambient music and sweeping views over the city skyline.

Open from 6.30-10.30am, guests can enjoy an all-day grazing menu featuring Asian and Indonesian delicacies such as Sushi, Dim-Sum and Nasi Goreng, as well as sweet and savoury western dishes ranging from salads and cold cuts to pastries and fruit platters. An a la carte breakfast service is also available until 10.30am, featuring classic breakfast favourites such as Eggs Benedict as well as local specialities.

A free-flow of tea, coffee, juices and non-alcoholic beverages, including signature mocktails, are served throughout the day together with evening cocktails and canapés between 6-8pm. Complimentary Wi-Fi, newspapers and magazines and Satellite TV are also available, with a dedicated concierge on hand to assist with check-in andattend to guest’s needs.

The launch of the Executive Lounge follows last year’s opening of Alila Jakarta’s five exclusive Club suites, some of the most spacious in the city, and the recent upgrading of the hotel’s rooftop infinity pool.

A business centre and 10 meeting rooms with capacity for up to 500 people are also available for business travellers. And for those looking to relax, the hotel’s Spa Alila is renowned in Jakarta for its natural, healing spa treatments, conceived and made on Bali.

Alila Jakarta is located in Central Jakarta, minutes away from the Central Business District, old Batavia and Kota areas and the central train station; only five kilometres from the largest exhibition and convention centre in Indonesia (JIEXPO) and 20 kilometres from the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Interior design firm Bilkey Llinas Design (BLD) have completed the interior design and fit-out of the Westin Nanjing, China. This property has become the premier address in the city and is the latest in an increasing 30-year portfolio for this award winning design team in China.The designers worked extremely closely with the operator Starwood who wanted a clean, fresh palette for its Westin brand. “The approach to the design was almost spa-like placing importance on the selections of natural finishes and generally creating a light and airy feeling about the whole place,” says Christopher Bennett, Senior Project Designer at BLD.

The architecture of the building was a test to overcome as the geometry of the floor spaces and encroaching internal structural elements made designing the 234 guestrooms and suites especially challenging with most of the rooms differing in shape and size. Having to incorporate Westin’s trademark Heavenly Bed and Bath also added to the complexity of fitting out the rooms.

In the case of the lobby, keeping a light and airy ambience was quite challenging because there were no windows at that end of the building. The lobby is on the 23rd floor with two distinct areas, the reception and the all-day-dining restaurant, Seasonal Tastes. Guests arrive by the elevator from the ground floor drop off and meeting reception at the lobby end and can walk through the lobby and through into the all-day-dining restaurant where the windows are situated on the far side.

The lack of natural light for the lobby was compensated by the effective and decorative use of lighting as well as the choice of material selection including light travertine marble to bring out the lightness and then using darker tones and spot lighting to draw attention to certain features such as the reception and the decorative elements behind the reception desk.

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Hospitality design firm GETTYS have recently completed the interior design of the Sheraton Seoul D-Cube City Hotel in the Korean capitalʼs technology centre of Guro. The designers were commissioned by the Daesung Group to design the 269-key full-service hotel for the Daesung D-Cube City project. The development is a cultural, business and shopping hub for the area with a retail mall, theatre, restaurants and office space consisting of two residential high-rise buildings and a 41-storey office and hotel tower linked by an extensive park on the podium level.

The hotel was designed with symbolic inspiration and at times, playful references to the local culture. From the guestrooms to the major public areas, ideas and concepts that are familiar to residents of Seoul are reinterpreted into a contemporary language and find themselves on display throughout the hotel experience.

In addition to the stylistic elements, the designers made a conscious effort to integrate cultural meaning to the spaces with some whimsically alluding to a recognisable facet of Korean culture, whereas other concepts experienced a few layers of interpretation. The enjoyable aspect of this direction was that the owner sought ideas that were intrinsic to the local culture as well as the idea being consistent with the brandʼs direction.

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HotelDesign’s Patrick Goff catches up with Ilke Hussein at Laufen’s stunning showroom within the Roca London Gallery in London’s Imperial Wharf. This was ahead of Milan’s Salone Del Mobile, where the manufacturer will celebrate a very special birthday and launch a raft of new products.This year’s Salone del Mobile marks a very special anniversary for Laufen, as the company celebrates 120 years in business. How have things changed during that time?

“Laufen was founded 120 years ago, as a pottery factory and took its name from the little Swiss town where it was originally based. During this time it has developed into the largest global manufacturer of bathroom ceramics.”

This is an interesting exhibition on the evolution of bathroom, here in the showroom, and certainly shows how products have developed.

” Since the industrial Revolution,when machines were first being introduced into the working environment, Laufen’s factories kept the character of traditional craftsmanship, despite its ceramics now being manufacturered in considerable quantities. The challenging shapes, surfaces, edges and sizes of our designer pieces are beyond the capabilities of even the most modern of machines so the human touch is still a very important part of our production, and sits comfortably alongside the most high tec of automated systems to ensure we can produce the quantities required to remain competitive.”

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Those witty and inventive people at Sywawa have excelled themselves yet again with the delightful Dentelle, a parasol celebrating the tradition of Belgian lace making and the contemporary creative possibilities this brings to the outdoors.Despite its frivolous appearance, Dentelle offers serious shade being covered in Symacryl, a unique technical fabric that blocks 97% of all UV rays. Available in 18 base colours, and draped in either black or white lace this 190cm diameter parasol is the perfect solution for teatime on the terrace.

Dentelle joins the happy family of gorgeous parasols to be found in the new Shade element of www.moderngarden.co.uk