Hotel Designs

Emerging Asian hotel investment company – Red Planet Hotels – continues to chronicle an impressive array of achievements as it forges ahead in its mission to place multiple limited service hotels in key Asian cities.

The company is developing a portfolio of Tune hotels in China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Bangladesh. It is currently constructing 1,023 hotel rooms through six hotels in Indonesia – Jakarta, Thailand – Bangkok and Pattaya, the Philippines – Angeles City and two in Manila. More announcements expected soon.All Red Planet-owned hotels operate under a franchise agreement with Tune Hotels.

Announcing the latest development at the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) in Hong Kong recently, Red Planet Hotels Chief Executive Officer, Tim Hansing said: “Tune Hotels’ business model is solid and complements our investment methodology. Even though many investment companies have been looking to contain expenses and put expansion on the back burner, we were able to go out at the end of global financial crisis in 2009 and raise significant capital.”

“To be able to raise funds and then to quickly secure sites and contracts to have over 1,000 keys under construction is a significant achievement and testament to the strength of our experienced management team and the Tune Hotels business model. We are looking for more opportunities to expand in Asia’s emerging markets with multiple sites in key cities, particularly those that Tune Hotels have interest in,” Hansing said.

Mr Hansing added the limited service hotel synergy presented Red Planet Hotels with some fantastic opportunities for expansion across the region and sites are continually being scoped and investigated.

Tune Hotels is part of the Tune Group, the private investment group of Dato’ Sri Tony Fernandes, founder and Group CEO of low cost carrier AirAsia and Team Principal of the Lotus Racing F1 team.

Tune Hotels is a rapidly growing chain of hotels that have embraced the limited service model used by low cost airlines and employ a self-service online booking system encouraging guests to book early to enjoy exceptionally low prices. Using the demand-based pricing booking system, guests can book rooms at prices starting from USD3.00 (or even lower during promotion periods) through the web.

It currently operates ten hotels – seven in Malaysia, two in Bali, Indonesia and one in London, England; and has entered into strategic partnerships to open 20 hotels in India and a further 14 hotels in the United Kingdom.

Crimson Hotel Group has opened the first phase of the Holiday Inn Express London – Heathrow T5 which will be the largest Holiday Inn Express in Europe when it is completed in spring 2011.With an investment of over £16 million, the Holiday Inn Express London – Heathrow T5 will have a total of 300 rooms. The first stage of the development is now complete with 125 contemporary bedrooms and the Great Room (a stylish public lobby with a restaurant and bar) open for use.

The second stage of the project will be completed by Spring 2011 and will see the opening of a further 175 bedrooms, another restaurant and four inspiring meeting rooms, accommodating up to 80 guests.

Aly Kassam, Director at Crimson Hotel Group says: “We have identified a gap in the market for the budget conscious traveller at Holiday Inn Express London – Heathrow T5 which is one of the first completely new hotels to open under the latest IHG brand standards. We can offer business and leisure guests a great choice and fantastic value for money, which is just what people want in today’s market place.”

Holiday Inn Express London – Heathrow T5 provides a stylish and contemporary setting and is decorated in the signature style of the new Holiday Inn Express brand.

Guests can enjoy a complimentary ‘Express Start Hot Breakfast’ including a delicious continental breakfast, scrambled eggs, crispy bacon or sausages as part of the new IHG brand standards. All bedrooms are en-suite and amenities include tea and coffee making facilities, flat screen LCD TV as standard, wireless internet access, telephone, hairdryer and ample workspace. For a perfect night’s sleep, guests can choose from soft or firm pillows and wake up to an invigorating power shower to start off the day.

Holiday Inn Express London – Heathrow T5 is situated in the heart of the UK’s most important transport hub for air, road and rail networks. Terminal 5 is just two miles away and a shuttle bus runs to and from the hotel for airport transfers.

Nearby attractions include Windsor Castle, Ascot Racecourse, Thorpe Park, Legoland and Chessington World of Adventures, which makes it a perfect destination for families. It is also ideally situated close to Dorney Lake which will be the home of Olympic rowing in 2012.

Luxury hotel operator, Langham Hotels International, is set to plant its unique blend of stimulating modern hospitality in the Middle East with the introduction of the first Langham Place in Doha, Qatar, which will become the city’s new entertainment hub when completed.Set to open in late 2012, Langham Place, Doha, Qatar, will anchor the group’s fast developing expansion plans in the Middle East.

Located in the heart of Doha, just blocks away from the Hamad Medical City and along the C-Ring Road, the uniquely-shaped Al Shemoukh Towers, which means Standing Proud in Arabic, projects as a modern architectural marvel complete with one of the city’s most interesting collections of curated modern Middle Eastern art.

Each of the 250 spacious modern guestrooms (from 40sq m) and 40 serviced residences will be luxuriously-appointed including signature Dream Big Beds and expansive bathrooms. As an icon of user-friendly modern technology, Langham Place will also feature enhanced entertainment systems and the latest in internet connectivity.

Langham Place, Doha is designed to be a lifestyle destination in its own right with exciting features such as DJs spinning in the lobby and by the pool, a stylish urban Beach Club in the City concept, extensive dining including Portal – Work & Play – a proprietary brand concept which recognises that today’s guests work and play in the same space while staying totally connected to the outside world, a chocolate bar and a Chuan Spa.

For pure fun, the poolside club with a Miami Beach-style atmosphere will be the perfect urban getaway. The resort-style club features an expansive pool deck and children’s pool and a DJ pod. Guests can also relax in the shady cabanas while enjoying cuisine from the open grill restaurant.

Just one level away will be the Middle East’s first Chuan Spa featuring its range of award-winning treatments based upon the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The guest’s journey to wellness in this unique spa concept is designed to create an ambience of tranquillity for both contemplation and inspiration.

The modern glass tower bridge connecting the two towers across multiple floors stands out as a modern icon of innovative entertainment. These include a private guest lounge – Club L – to relax, refuel, replay, as well as quiet areas for meditation.

Langham Place, Doha will feature a number of exciting outlets including Western, Middle Eastern and Asian concepts. These include a specialist Japanese robatayaki restaurant and Moroccan French café, a cigar bar and a themed multi-level entertainment concept offering stimulating food and beverage experiences.

The property will also be home to inspiring and exciting meetings and functions
with a fresh approach to events. In addition to the ballroom, these include the Meeting Studios with its open kitchen break out areas and specially designed drawing rooms serviced by the Meeting Concierges.

Marriott International, Inc. continues to grow its world-class luxury JW Marriott hotel brand with the opening of the JW Marriott Marquis Miami in downtown Miami. The much anticipated hotel is a crowning achievement in the rebirth of downtown Miami, and a centerpiece of the Metropolitan Miami residential, entertainment, retail, hotel and office complex. It is also the latest addition to a growing portfolio of 47 JW Marriott properties in key cities and destinations throughout the world.Within the brand, the “Marquis” designation is reserved for select downtown properties that offer the highest levels of comfort, technology, personal service, meeting facilities, privacy and world class amenities. The JW Marriott Marquis Miami is the company’s first JW property to be classified a “Marquis”. A second 1,612-room JW Marriott Marquis is scheduled to open in Dubai in 2011.

JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts growth plans call for another 20 properties expected to open over the next five years, bringing the total portfolio to more than 65 hotels in 27 countries. In December, the company will open the JW Marriott Chicago. Featuring exquisite architecture and elegant décor, this historical landmark’s $396 million restoration blends Burnham’s distinctive style with 21st century sensibility, providing downtown Chicago with a hotel of distinctive luxury. Earlier this year, the brand celebrated the opening of two landmark hotels, the JW Marriott Hotel Los Angeles at L.A. Live and the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. Future locations include the JW Marriott Indianapolis Downtown (USA), the JW Marriott Hotel Bangalore (India) and the JW Marriott Gaakoshibee Resort & Spa (Maldives).

For dining and recreation at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami, the hotel will feature three restaurants, including db Bistro Moderne. For relaxation and fitness, the hotel offers two full floors of recreation and lifestyle amenities totaling 50,000 square feet. These include an outdoor swimming pool; a 10,000-square-foot NBA approved basketball court, Jim McLean Golf School with virtual golf and golf lessons, a bowling alley, media room, billiard room and a state of the art fitness center. The hotel will also be home to South Florida’s leader in trendsetting beauty, a 4,000 square foot Rik-Rak Salon & Spa.

The JW Marriott Marquis Miami offers more than 80,000 square feet of flexible space, including the largest ballroom space in downtown Miami, at 20,000 square feet. The proximity to the Miami financial district combined with the variety of meeting space makes the JW Marriott Marquis Miami an excellent option for a larger or more intimate group.

The hotel also offers Virtual Meetings by JW Marriott, in partnership with AT&T and Cisco. The public telepresence facility at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami is the first to open in Florida and enables people to hold virtual meetings with customers and colleagues around the world.

Hotel Beaux Arts Miami

In addition to the JW Marriott Marquis Miami, the Hotel Beaux Arts Miami will open in mid-November as part of the Metropolitan Miami development. Hotel Beaux Arts provides a private, urban retreat environment catering to the most sophisticated and influential business and leisure traveler. Situated on the 39th floor, with city and bay views, this architectural masterpiece offers distinguished guests total exclusivity. The hotel provides guests with their own private check-in and personal escort to 44 lavishly decorated guestrooms and suites that feature a modern elegance with plush bedding, exclusive state-of-the-art video and sound systems throughout, hardwood floors and Italian marble bathrooms.

Located at 345 Avenue of the Americas, the JW Marriott Marquis Miami and the Hotel Beaux Arts are at the center of the new Met Miami entertainment and lifestyle complex, which is close to the financial district and American Airlines Arena – home of the Miami Heat, and a short drive from South Beach.

Fifteen London, the flagship restaurant founded by Jamie Oliver in 2002, has re-opened following a major interior overhaul. Fifteen is a restaurant that uses the magic of food to give unemployed young people a chance to have a better future. All its profits go to their registered charity, the Jamie Oliver Foundation, which funds its pioneering Apprentice Programme. Commercial interiors specialist Andy Thornton Ltd was delighted to be able to donate decorative metal tiles to the recent refurbishment of the restaurant, when approached by the interior designer consultants Blacksheep. Used to stunning effect above the restaurant’s booth seating, the embossed tiles reflect the ambient interior lighting to create a warm, appealing glow.

Explained Blacksheep’s Creative Director Jo Sampson, “We wanted to bring a bit of soul and heritage back into the interior, the restaurant has a great location in a wonderful old building and we sought to reconnect the space to the building’s fabric and context in our materials palette. The interior is contemporary and urban as well as rich, warm and welcoming.”

These metal tiles have been manufactured for well over 100 years but have recently become popular for a variety of applications. They are usually used as ceiling tiles, but can also be used as wall panelling or to clad bars and shop display counters. They are particularly popular in hospitality and retail applications where, as well as being attractive, they have unique acoustic and fire resistance properties.

Andy Thornton are the exclusive distributors for the American manufacturer who still make the tiles on a 100-year-old ‘Mammoth’ press, using 800 tons of force to ensure crisp and accurate detail on every tile. They can be used in their natural metal finish or painted in any BS or RAL colour.

The 3 star Olde Bull Inn hotel and AA rosette restaurant in Barton Mills is celebrating after holding a successful open day last Thursday 4th November. Local businesses were invited to have a tour of the hotel, bar and kitchen and award winning restaurant, following a three year programme of extensive refurbishment, and were also treated to complimentary drinks and samples of the award winning chefs canapés. The first thirty businesses over the door were also given a goody bag of local produce from the Olde Bull Inns suppliers.In the evening, locals were invited to join the festivities, and were also treated to canapés from the new kitchen and they also enjoyed live music from the Bongo Man followed by a fireworks extravaganza.

Cheryl Hickman, owner of the Olde Bull said: “We were really happy with the event, it was a fantastic opportunity to show local businesses the excellent facilities we now have at The Olde Bull, and how much it has changed from just a few years ago. It was also great fun to celebrate with the locals and other regular customers in the evening, and they all enjoyed the chance to explore the hotel and see the fantastic, contemporary new bedrooms and state of the art bathrooms which most had never seen before.”

The highlight of the day for most of the visitors was the chance to watch the chefs at work whilst having a tour of the new look kitchen, which has been doubled in size and boasts bright pink altro walls. One guest described the experience as “pure theatre”.

The owners are now looking forward to a busy Christmas, some party nights are now fully booked but there are still some spaces, and various special events planned all through November and December, which culminates in their New Years extravaganza.

Carlson, a privately held, global hospitality and travel company, has announced that it plans to have more than 100 hotels in operation in India by 2015. This was announced by Hubert Joly, Carlson president and chief executive officer, during a signing ceremony for two new hotel agreements in India. Setting the momentum for its robust expansion, Carlson announced that after opening eight hotels in 2010, it is planning to add at least 15 more hotels in 2011.

Carlson, which opened three hotels in the first half of the year, is scheduled to open another five hotels by the year end. These include the 178-room Radisson Hotel New Delhi Paschim Vihar, the 120-room Radisson Hotel Rudrapur, the 73-room Country Inn & Suites Gurgaon Sector 12, the 94-room Park Plaza Ahmedabad and the 80-room Park Plaza Faridabad.

Carlson, which is India’s largest international hotel company, also signed two new hotel agreements in west and south India for the 275-room Radisson Blu Hotel Mumbai Malad and the 110-room Park Plaza Coimbatore.

Radisson Blu Hotel Mumbai Malad
Owned by American Spring and Pressing Works Private Limited, construction of this USD 52 million upper-upscale hotel will begin immediately, with the hotel expected to open in 2014. The 275-room property is located on Chunilal Girdharilal Marg off SV Road, one of the main roads connecting Mumbai city to the western suburbs, and near the city’s Central Business District area of Andheri East. It will feature contemporary rooms and include an all-day dining restaurant, two specialty food outlets, a tea lounge and a sprawling 10,000 square feet banquet and meeting facility.

Park Plaza Coimbatore
Owned by Sabari Inn Private Limited, the USD 15 million hotel is scheduled to open next year. Only four kilometres from the Coimbatore International Airport, it will feature four suites, 14 deluxe and 92 executive rooms. Food and beverage options will include a restaurant, coffee shop, rooftop restaurant and bar. There will also be two banquet halls that can accommodate up to 500 guests each, as well as two board rooms seating up to 40 people.

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Prime Minister David Cameron used a keynote speech to the business community in Shoreditch to announce a review of the UK’s intellectual property framework. “We are reviewing our IP laws, to see if we can make them fit for the internet age. I want to encourage the sort of creative innovation that exists in America.” The review, which will report next April, will recommend changes to UK law, as well as long-term goals to be pursued by the British government on the international stage. Dids Macdonald, ACID’s CEO said, “The IP review is a welcome initiative which I hope will focus on a relevant and robust framework to encourage IP creators and ensure that protection and enforcement are key priorities. For the majority of the UK’s SME’s the costs and difficulties associated with enforcing IP infringement are prohibitive. Bringing IP to the top table as a significant contributor to the UK’s growth and recovery will be a welcome boost for UK businesses.”

IP Minister Baroness Wilcox, said, “The future of the economy lies in the highly skilled, technology sectors. For many of those companies their intellectual property is their most valuable asset. We must ensure the intellectual property system helps not hinders those companies. This review will look at what changes can be made to our intellectual property system to ensure it helps firms grow. The internet has fundamentally changed the business landscape. Some sectors, such as the creative industries, have been transformed by the internet. The intellectual property framework must keep pace. An IP system created in the era of paper and pen may not fit the age of broadband and satellites. We must ensure it meets the needs of the digital age.”

The review will look at:
• Barriers to new internet-based business models, including the costs of obtaining permissions from existing rights-holders;
• The cost and complexity of enforcing intellectual property rights within the UK and internationally;
• The interaction between IP and Competition frameworks;
• The cost and complexity to SME’s of accessing services to help them protect and exploit their IP.

The review will also look at what the UK can learn from the US’s “fair use” rules covering the circumstances in which copyright material may be used without the rights-holder’s express permission.

The review will make recommendations on the changes the UK can make as well as the long-term goals to be pursued through the international IP framework. It is expected to report in April next year.

The Spanish hotel group AC Hotels, chaired by Antonio Catalan, and Marriott International, Inc., chaired by J.W. Marriott, Jr., have reached a preliminary agreement to form a joint venture that will manage and franchise a new lodging co-brand across Europe and Latin America – “AC by Marriott”.The new co-brand will combine the strengths of AC Hotels and Marriott International. “AC by Marriott” will incorporate the concept and business model of AC Hotels’ urban-style four-star hotel product, characterized by a unique blend of quality, comfort, design and technology, with Marriott International’s global systems, distribution, and sales platforms, particularly Marriott Rewards, one of the world’s largest hospitality loyalty programs with 33 million members. The combination will permit Marriott’s customers access under the Marriott Rewards program to a portfolio of Spain’s leading business and urban-leisure hotels, enable AC’s guests to earn Marriott Rewards points for travel at Marriott branded hotels around the world, and provide both companies with a platform for future growth.

“AC by Marriott” will focus on becoming a market leader in Europe and Latin America in the urban, four-star hotel category. At the launch of the joint venture, more than ninety (90) existing AC hotels in Spain, Italy and Portugal are expected to be re-branded “AC by Marriott” and enter into long term management or franchise agreements with the joint venture. The hotels will continue to be owned by affiliates of AC Hotels and other third parties.

Future hotels would be added to the portfolio under both management contracts and franchise agreements. The joint venture will be led by Antonio Catalán and his current team from AC Hotels headquarters in Madrid, with support on key functions from Marriott’s team in Europe, headed by Marriott’s European President Amy McPherson.

Formation of the joint venture is subject to negotiation of definitive transaction documents and customary closing conditions for transactions of this type, including obtaining any necessary consent. The parties anticipate closing in calendar year 2010, with the new AC by Marriott brand to launch in 2011.

Deloitte Corporate Finance in Madrid is acting as the lead financial advisor to both parties in this transaction.

The Minor Group’s collection of luxury residences won three prestigious awards at the 5th annual Thailand Property Awards, the Asian Pacific real estate industry’s most esteemed awards event. The Residences at The St. Regis Bangkok won Best Condo Thailand and Best Condo Bangkok, while The Estates Samui won Best Interior Design.Opening in early 2011, The Residences at The St. Regis Bangkok were awarded Best Condo Bangkok and Best Condo Thailand by the prestigious group. Officials noted that The Residences at The St. Regis Bangkok rose above the competition because of the excellent quality and how the property optimizes an excellent site with uncompromising standards of luxury and service. Overall, the development was described as “outstanding.” The Estates Samui were awarded Best Interior Design for the excellent selection and use of materials, attractive designs and the quality of the execution.

About the awards:

The Best Condo Bangkok & Best Condo Thailand
The upcoming launch of The Residences at The St. Regis Bangkok will mark the introduction of the premier St. Regis brand to Thailand and the IndoChina region. Located in a prime location along Rajadamri Road, in close proximity to the prestigious entertainment and business districts of Bangkok, The Residences at The St. Regis Bangkok will set a new standard for luxury living in Thailand and be ideally positioned to cater to both the city’s influential business leaders, discerning leisure travelers, and potential homeowners seeking one of the world’s finest addresses.

Rising from the 25th to the 45th floors, The Residences at The St. Regis Bangkok features 53 homes, offering the privilege of a bespoke St. Regis experience at the most exclusive residences in the city. Featuring exquisite design, commanding views, and meticulous attention to detail, The St. Regis Residences Bangkok will offer an exceptional lifestyle at the most exclusive address in Bangkok.

Best Interior Design
Located on a secluded pristine cove above Laem Yai Bay on Samui Island, The Estates Samui feature 14 exclusive private villas flawlessly designed by world-renowned architect Bill Bensley and inspired by the union of traditional Southern Thai style and modern convenience. Each of the fully furnished and ready-to-occupy villas feature exquisitely appointed custom-crafted interiors with hand selected woods, stone and textiles from the region, resulting in unparalleled quality and charm. The estates feature a sunken dining pavilion, a separate and spacious living villa and state-of-the-art entertainment and home-management technology.

Centara Hotels & Resorts recently signed a contract to manage the first property under the new Centra brand, the Centra Ashlee Hotel Patong, in Phuket.

The new hotel will open at the end of 2010 and brings the total number of properties under Centara management in Phuket to six.The Centra brand has been developed to provide affordable quality accommodation in prime locations.

The Centra Ashlee Hotel Patong announcement comes in the same month as the soft-opening of the Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket at Karon Beach, a property that is at the top end of Centara’s branding.

These two new properties bring the total number of rooms operated in Phuket by Centara Hotels & Resorts to 937.

Chris Bailey, Senior Vice President for Sales & Marketing at Centara Hotels & Resorts, said that Phuket is one of the Thai destinations on which the company is focusing.

“This time last year we had three properties in Phuket, and this has been increased to six as part of our expansion policy on the island.

“Phuket is a market that has matured immensely and can be defined into a number of distinct segments. We can now offer three destinations, namely Patong, Karon and Kata, and we cover the upper budget category through to the mid five-star category.

“Within this we are also able to offer holiday styles to distinct personal preferences, such as couples, families, and independent-minded travellers who want privacy and lack of distractions.

“Our room types go all the way from standard through to suites, to spa rooms with their own Jacuzzi on the balcony and to villa accommodation.”

Centra Ashlee Hotel Patong is a newly-built eight-storey property at Patong Beach with 106 guestrooms offering a choice of king-bed and twin-bed accommodation, and a rooftop pool and Jacuzzi. All rooms have their own balcony.

The hotel is 400m from the beach and is within casual walking distance of the main shopping and leisure areas.

Commissioned by W Hotels, Created by In-House series & Celebrating London

To celebrate the impending arrival of hotel innovator W Hotels to London’s Leicester Square, W London have commissioned a new film short (10 minutes) lifting the figurative lense cap off of a fictitious guest Alex Worthington. Shot on location in Leicester Square “Away We Stay” written and directed by Edoardo Ponti, and produced by Katrina Pavlos, is a romantic tale of love, life and the choices we make in the middle…

Renowned photographer Alex Worthington (Helena Christensen) has spent her career under the glitz and spotlight of the fashion industry but the emptiness of that world has started taking its toll. In search of something more real and emotionally stimulating she has a chance meeting with a mysterious stranger, Adam (David Gandy). He disarms her with his honesty and directness. After sharing only a few hours together, he dares her to run away with him and leave everything behind. Will Alex succumb and follow her heart or retreat back in the safety of her well established but empty life? Set in the London of today, laced with resonances of the swinging sixties, and a supporting cast which includes Tom Hollander, Nick Moran, Georgina Rylance and a special appearance by the film’s Executive Producer Nick Roeg.

Away We Stay takes as its creative reference the 1966 British Film classic Blow Up produced by Edoardo’s father Carlo Ponti. The film was chosen as it is the quintessential insider movie portraying the London Fashion scene. “Away We Stay” is peppered with leading London Insider cameos including Amber Aikens, Kinvara Balfour, Fenton Bailey (David Bailey’s son), Abi Harris and Tuuli Shipster.

The film’s central theme mirrors that of the W Hotel London’s dual personality and its transition from formal day to informal night.

Fashion forms a key part of the W language and “Away We Stay” has been styled by W Fashion Director Amanda Ross with key looks from leading London designers forming a core part of the films fashion story. Designers referenced include Stella McCartney, Temperley London, Rupert Sanderson, & Philip Treacy.

“Away We Stay” will give one of the first glances of the views available from the hotel both in-room and of the surrounding London landmarks as well as a view into the world of W as referenced by Edoardo and the amazing cast who have collaborated on the project. Talking on the inspiration for the commission W London General Manager Kevin Rockey stated ‘With our location at the heart of the British Film Industry (Leicester Square) what better way to introduce W London Leicester Square to the world than with the commission of a new film, heroing the great Insiders of this inspiring city.’

Away We Stay can be viewed at www.wlondon.co.uk/awaywestay

The Mövenpick Hotel Ramallah is expected to become a cultural and architectural landmark, offering several culinary options in its urban location in the heart of Ramallah. The hotel was softly opened for business on the 1st November 2010.Mövenpick Hotel Ramallah in Palestine is the city’s only modern five star hotel and its 171 rooms include ten Junior Suites, eight Diplomatic Suites and two Presidential Suites. The hotel is ideally situated in the diplomatic Almasyoun quarter, just minutes from the city centre’s excellent shopping and entertainment venues.

Tailored to both business and leisure travellers, the Mövenpick Hotel Ramallah will include 20 suites of different categories and include state-of-the-art facilities. A heated large swimming pool with a barbeque restaurant and gymnasium are also available.

The hotel will offer the finest dining experiences under one roof, from formal to casual dining and there is always something for every taste; the Allegro will introduce Italian cuisine to Ramallah under the guidance of the hotel’s own Italian Chef.

The hotel will also feature the Al Riwaq all-day-restaurant with floor to ceiling windows and an outdoor patio overlooking the pool; it will be the city’s newest see-and-be-seen social destination. The Newz bar also serves as a great meeting destination with indoor and outdoor casual dining areas. Meanwhile the Sparkles lounge will make its mark as a ground-breaking cigar bar in Ramallah and will cater ideally for businessmen and women, or casual crowds.

The hotel will also include the Yabus Ballroom, with 660 square metres of column-free space equipped with cutting edge technology and luxurious décor that will present first class catering for business functions, parties, or social events such as weddings and galas. The ballroom will accommodate up to 800 people, and can be divided into two sections. The hotel also offers seven meeting and breakout rooms, plus a business centre with several workstations and fast internet access and includes two meeting rooms for business needs.

“We are honoured to be part of such a significant project that will introduce a new experience in the beautiful city of Ramallah.” Said Daniel Roche, General Manager of the hotel. “The Mövenpick Hotel Ramallah will play a key role in Ramallah, as we work together with the Arab Hotels Company, our owners, to create a landmark property in Ramallah. As a new resident of Ramallah I’m constantly discovering the many personalities of this city and I can see it becoming a high-energy business community, and a cultural and culinary centre,” added Daniel Roche.

The latest in the series of World Travel Awards dinners was the global ‘finals’ held at the Grosvenor House in London’s Park Lane on Friday night. I have to confess to a frisson of disappointment, as we did not share tables with Miss World Competitors as we did in the Asian heats held in the same venue last year.This may be why this year there were empty tables in the ballroom, or maybe the guests had heard it was to be hosted by ex- Southend goalkeeper turned comedian Terry Alderton. He seemed to think insulting people was the way to get a laugh. Certainly, the South African and German guests on my table were thoroughly offended by his compeering. Having asked if there were any German guests in the room, he started imitating air raid sirens and machine gun fire. He then went on to insult Italian, South African and other guests and was unable to pronounce many of the names of the winners.

Winners there were of course in what is sometimes proclaimed the Oscar ceremony of the Hotel world. Of course, where this leaves the ESleep Event’s uropean Design Awards is debatable. Hotels and hotel groups win on the vote of 186,000 industry professionals the organisers claim, in distinct difference to the dozen or so industry worthies that select the winners for the Sleep European Design Awards, or the MKG Hotel Awards in France, or the Golden Key Awards in the US, or the —enough enough! Remember though, you have to enter to win anything.

On this evening there were 79 awards made. Can you believe this organisation that in order to whittle down the shortlist for the global finalists, stages dinners and award ceremonies in 10 countries? There are over 1,000 categories voted on by the 186,000 travel trade representative, hoteliers etc.. A huge constituency of voters provides the base for a truly global participation in the awards, and a huge efficiently globally run elimination contest that makes the poor presentation of this year’s finals a real disappointment – a black tie event where even the organiser can’t be bothered to wear a black tie?

As for who won (I’m sure you are dying to know), well there were 79 awards made on this evening, by the end of which it was all a little hazy – well, you try keeping up with South African and Germans who are drinking to drown their annoyance with the comedian. Not that South Africans ever need an excuse of course. Where did the extra bottles come from Ralf?

A link to the full winner list is attached. The British hotel related winners were
• Von Essen as Best Boutique Hotel Group
• Intercontinental with the World’s Best Budget Brand in Holiday Inn Express,
• London as World’s Best Destination (although one attendee commented “travelling on the Tube in rush hour was like being on a slave ship”),
• P&O Ferries as the World’s Best Ferry Operator
• Intercontinental was the World’s Best Hotel Brand
• Yorkshire won the World’s Best Marketing Campaign
• Excel is apparently the World’s Leading Meeting and Conference Centre
• Unbelievably the really boring BBC World News Channel won the Leading TV Channel for Travellers.

Goettsch Partners (GP) is serving as the design architect for a new five-star, 900-key business hotel and serviced apartment complex in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. GP is working closely with Riyadh-based architect-of-record Omrania & Associates, as well as hospitality interior design firm David Wrenn Interiors. The client is the General Organization for Social Insurance, an agency of the state. The project is located along the Eastern Ring Road, a major thoroughfare that links King Khalid International Airport with downtown. Comprising two towers connected by a large podium, the project includes a 20-story, 650-key hotel and a 14-story, 250-unit serviced apartment building. To be operated as a Hilton property, the complex will include a variety of food and beverage outlets, two outdoor lounges, 70,000 square feet of meeting facilities, and a large, 44,100-square-foot multipurpose hall, the largest in the city. Leisure and recreational facilities include a men’s spa, health club and pool, as well as similar private facilities for women.

The project’s two towers anchor the site on the east and west, with each planned and configured as three pinwheeling legs around a central elevator core. The towers are aligned on the site to optimize views and solar shading, as well as allow for the large multipurpose hall to span the area between the structures. This connection also helps create a relationship and orientation in the tower masses that helps unify the complex.

The hotel tower has multiple two-level atriums that rotate around the elevator core, creating internal light wells and providing movement in the overall massing. Guest corridors terminate in glass facades as well, providing additional views and connections outdoors. Along with the atriums, the hotel façade is expressed with undulating reveals along the glass faces with solid, tapered end walls to frame the mass.

The apartment tower has linear slots along the intersecting three wings running the height of the tower to bring light into the core. Here, the glass façade has a weave of undulating forms that, again, bring movement to the mass and are framed by solid, tapering end walls. The roof of the multipurpose hall comprises a mixture of garden areas and terraces that connect the building to the surrounding landscape, as well as relate to the area’s overall master plan.

The project is located between the 5 million-square-foot Granada Center, one of the city’s largest shopping centers, and Granada Business Park. Other locations in close proximity include the Riyadh International Conference Center and the developing King Abdullah Financial District, a 400-acre area that will include more than 32 million square feet and feature the home of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency and the first Saudi World Trade Center.

The project will be the largest hotel in the capital and the first in Riyadh specifically designed and built for Hilton. The approximately $450 million project is currently in the final design phase and is scheduled for completion in 2013.

The Holiday Inn relaunch continues to make its way across the globe and has now reached the sun and surf of Hawaii with the official opening of the Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Resort. Hawaii’s only Holiday Inn®-branded hotel will officially join the IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) system today (Nov. 9, 2010). The former OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber recently completed a $30 million renovation and now showcases elements of Holiday Inn’s $1 billion relaunch. The Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Resort is owned and operated by Outrigger Enterprises Group, known for its unparalleled reputation for delivering a high-quality guest experience coupled with distinctive “Hawaiian” hospitality. Outrigger’s “many brands, one `ohana (family)” strategy leverages the company’s ability to manage multiple brands, while maintaining the acclaimed Outrigger collection of upscale, luxury leisure hotels and resort condominiums located in some of the most desirable destinations throughout Hawaii, the Pacific, Asia and Australia.

As part of the rebranding effort, the resort now features the hallmarks of the Holiday Inn relaunch, including:

• Upgraded lobby areas
• Upgraded showers and bathroom amenities
• New signage with the redesigned logo
• Holiday Inn’s extensive \”Stay Real\” training program, which will supplement Outrigger’s existing approach to customer service.

The property offers guests comfortable accommodations designed to reflect the unique environment and culture of the area, with modern, revitalized guest rooms, as well as a newly revamped pool, lobby, fitness room and porte cochere. Consistent with Holiday Inn standards, guest beds will be made using crisp, white bedding with pillows that come in two comfort levels: “soft” and “firm.” Guest bathrooms include a specially designed showerhead that offers superior pressure, as well as a signature shower curtain with curved rod and new amenities. On the resort’s lobby level, Illusionist John Hirokawa presents the dazzling Magic of Polynesia show in a 600-seat theater specifically designed for his electrifying displays.

Close to all the action, the Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Resort is located in the fast-paced heart of Waikiki. The resort’s convenient location is just steps from the beach and surrounded by shopping, dining and entertainment. Nearby attractions include Royal Hawaiian Center, International Market Place, DFS (Duty Free Shop), Macy’s, Duke’s and Waikiki Beach Walk®.

Marriott International will introduce its first Residence Inn by Marriott property for extended stay travelers in the Middle East with an 83-unit hotel in the Saudi Arabian province of Jizan on the Red Sea in 2012. It will be part of a mixed-use development that will also include a new 129-room upper moderate priced Courtyard by Marriott hotel that, when opened, will be the fourth Courtyard property in the Middle East, and a 58,000-square meter shopping mall.Marriott will manage both hotels under a long-term agreement recently concluded with Abdulrahman Saad Al-Rashid & Sons Co. Ltd. Both properties are currently under construction in two adjacent towers separated by a shared swimming pool in the northern part of Jizan City close to the municipality and the new Jizan University.

Residence Inn by Marriott Jizan
The Residence Inn by Marriott Jizan will offer 83 spacious and modern studios and one- and two-bedroom suites with each studio unit connecting with a one or two bedroom apartment. Designed for stays of five nights or more, each suite will include a fully equipped kitchen and separate living area, flat screen TV and Marriott’s highly acclaimed bed and bath linens. Rates will vary depending on length of stay.

A special feature will be the Residence Inn lobby that will offer a club-like environment and will include a self-service lounge/coffee shop, a library and a small meeting room. A “grab and go” kiosk/market offering snacks, basic food items, newspapers, magazines and various sundries will be located adjacent to the front desk. The hotel will also host a complimentary weekly social hour.

Recreational amenities will include separate fitness rooms and lockers for men and women. Guests will share an outdoor pool area with those staying at the adjacent Courtyard by Marriott hotel. Other services will include the ability to print documents from apartment to business center, baggage and package delivery services and on-site parking.

Courtyard by Marriott Jizan
The Courtyard by Marriott Jizan will have contemporary, stylishly designed accommodations including 15 junior suites and two suites. King-bedded guest rooms and suites will be interconnected with double-bedded rooms to accommodate families during school holidays. Guest rooms will feature high speed internet access, flat screen TV, in-room safes.

For dining and entertainment, the hotel will have a casual restaurant serving three meals daily, a lobby lounge and a juice bar on the pool deck. Recreational amenities will include a shared fitness room with separate lockers, sauna and steam room for male and female guests. The outdoor swimming pool will be shared with guests of the Residence Inn. Other amenities will include 24-hour room service with limited menu, an in-room mini-bar, a “grab and go” kiosk/market in the lobby.

Residence Inn is Marriott’s second largest lodging brand with nearly 600 properties in North and Central America and the Caribbean. Courtyard ranks as Marriott’s largest brand with nearly 900 hotels throughout the world.

Marriott International currently manages three hotels in Saudi Arabia: the 389-room Riyadh Marriott, the 210-room Jeddah Marriott and the 150-room Medina Marriott. In addition, Marriott has signed management contracts for the following hotels which are also under construction:
• 238-room Courtyard by Marriott in Riyadh’s central business district
• 288-room Courtyard by Marriott located in Riyadh’s diplomatic quarter
• 119-unit Marriott Executive Apartments property adjacent to the currently operating Riyadh Marriott.

The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies worldwide, announces the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Downtown. The property featuring 220 rooms is scheduled to open in early 2011. It is Rezidor’s 4th Radisson Blu Hotel in the Emirate – the group already manages the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek, the Radisson Blu Residence, Dubai Marina, and the Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Media City. Dubai Downtown is the new hub of Dubai hosting top attractions including the tallest tower in the world, one of the world’s largest malls, Dubai Mall, the waterfall promenade and Souk Al Bahar. The hotel also borders Business Bay, a mega project covering an area of 6 million square meters, which is designed to be the new centre of Dubai commerce. Key destinations including Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai International and Exhibition Centre, and Dubai International Financial Centre (the world’s fastest growing international financial centre) are within a few minutes’ drive from the hotel’s site.

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Downtown will be located on the upper floors of a mixed used building located at walking distance from Dubai Mall and 10 kilometres from the international airport. It comprises 198 contemporary rooms and 22 suites – all equipped with Radisson Blu signature services such as free high speed internet access. Guests will also benefit from an all day dining-restaurant, a speciality restaurant, a pub, 2 bars (including a rooftop pool bar), and a sophisticated Business Class Lounge. Meeting facilities will include 6 conference rooms, 2 board rooms, and a business centre – and for those combining business and leisure travel, the hotel will have a swimming pool and a gym/spa.

Some rooms will offer breathtaking views of Burj Khalifa, with 828 metres the world’s tallest tower which was completed in early 2010. The tower is within walking distance – as well as Dubai Mall featuring 1,200 retail outlets, a 220-store Gold Souk, and more than 150 food and beverage outlets.

Omaha’s dynamic Midtown Crossing district is now the site of a new Element hotel, the much-talked-about “green trailblazer” from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Element Omaha Midtown Crossing, which opened on the 4th November 2010, is the first hotel in Midtown, and marks Element Hotels’ debut in the U.S. Midwest. The hotel is owned by East Campus Realty and managed by Aimbridge Hospitality.Part of the thriving Midtown Crossing development, and just minutes from downtown Omaha and Eppley Airfield, Element Omaha Midtown Crossing is ideally situated beside the natural beauty of Turner Park. Omaha is home to five Fortune 500 companies and cultural attractions such as The Orpheum Theater, Rosenblatt Stadium and Joslyn Art Museum. The hotel will be Element’s 8th property in the U.S., with the highly anticipated opening of Element Times Square West in New York City later this year.

Element continues to make history as the first major hotel brand to mandate that all its properties pursue the US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for high-performance buildings. Designed to be “green from the ground up,” Element hotels blend nature-inspired smart design, inspiring public spaces, and comfortable modern touches.

With 132 spacious guest rooms, Element Omaha Midtown Crossing delivers a no-compromise, eco-chic experience where guests can stay active, healthy and balanced while on the road, including complimentary wellness programs and healthy food options. Rise, Element’s daily complimentary breakfast, includes well-balanced breakfast wraps and fruit smoothies, while Motion, the state-of-the-art, 24-hour fitness center, allows guests to maintain their fitness routines on the go. The hotel also features a Bikes-to-Borrow program, which encourages guests to stay energized every day during their stay.

Element:Green from the Ground Up

From spacious guest rooms featuring fully-equipped kitchens, spa-inspired bathrooms, and the Heavenly(R) Bed to sustainable design and eco-friendly practices, Element Hotels is a smarter, better place to stay, perfect for the traveler visiting for a few days or a few weeks.

Element hotels’ green features are cleverly designed to be as aesthetically appealing as they are eco-friendly, so guests never compromise on style and comfort. Eco-friendly materials are used whenever possible and natural light is maximized throughout the hotels. Element conserves water and energy with low-flow faucets and fixtures, compact florescent light bulbs and energy-efficient appliances. To further reduce waste, guest room bathrooms are equipped with amenity dispensers, kitchens are supplied with silverware and glassware instead of plastic utensils and paper cups, and filtered drinking water is available rather than plastic water bottles among other initiatives. Recycling bins are available in guest rooms and public areas. Even the ubiquitous “Do Not Disturb” sign has been replaced with an environmentally-friendly magnet.

SOURCE: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Editors Note: Concepts of what is ‘green’ in the US are strangely divorced from any real ecologically sound measures. Contrast the description of ‘green’ here with the ‘green’ credentials of Premier Inn in our article of Sept. 20th Burgess Hill to realise how much of this article is just PR spin from Starwood rather than any real attempt to to use current state of the art approaches to building a carbon neutral hotel.

W Hotels Worldwide has recently opened the doors of W Retreat Koh Samui, the first W in Southeast Asia. An all-villa beachfront resort uniquely located at the peak of the north shore of Thailands famed Samui Island, W Koh Samui brings an alluring new dimension to Thailand through its location, forward-looking design, and vibrant contemporary lifestyle. The opening of W Koh Samui is also an important milestone as W Hotels continues to grow internationally, on track to more than double its global portfolio by 2012, reaching more than 50 hotels worldwide. Sa-Wow-de ka to W Retreat Koh Samui

A modern paradise of vibrant foliage, unspoiled golden sand and warm island breezes, W Koh Samui offers panoramic sunrise and sunset views of the Gulf of Thailand from its exceptional beachfront location. The Retreat features 75 private villas equipped with modern lifestyle innovations, including a private pool, daybeds, an outdoor shower, Yamaha sound system, 46-inch plasma screen TV, wine refrigerator, and the signature W bed.

Koh Samuis Spirit of Celebration Meets Modern, Cutting-Edge Design

Showcasing innovative architecture by MAPS Design Studio and interior design by Thailand-based design firm P49 Deesign, W Retreat Koh Samui, like Koh Samui itself, is an island within an island, a place that will light up the night. With a hill separating its own peninsula of land from the rest of Koh Samui, W Retreat Koh Samui offers an escape within an escape for guests and travelers who seek something extraordinary, a far cry from the everyday resorts nearby.

Ws signature W Lounge (Ws take on the traditional hotel lobby), a magnificent design, rich with stunning ocean vistas welcomes stylish island guests as they arrive at the retreat. Upon entry, guests will experience interactive digital floor projections that give way to an environment accented with off-white terrazzo floors, high ceilings clad in angular bleached wood veneer panels, large bookshelves and oversized lamps. A key element of the W Lounge is a water feature and relaxing area, inspired by the shape of a lotus flower.

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Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai will join Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. as the latest addition to its Luxury Collection portfolio, effective today. The resort will be renamed ‘Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai’, with Emirates retaining ownership of the resort and Starwood Hotels & Resorts overseeing the management of the property.Designed and built following the principles of environmentally sustainable development, Al Maha has been at the forefront of conservation-based hospitality in the Middle East, for over 10 years. The resort was designed to recreate a Bedouin encampment spread across the vast dunes, featuring 42 secluded suites with tented roofs, floor-to-ceiling windows, marbled bathrooms, private deck and pool.

Al Maha rests within the 225-square kilometre Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR) one of the largest formally protected conservation reserves in the Gulf and is internationally recognised. The DDCR will continue to be sponsored and managed by Emirates. Al Maha was lauded for its efforts by the World Travel & Tourism Council earlier this year and was identified as the region’s leading sustainable eco-tourism development by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Surrounded by some of the region’s most spectacular landscape, rich with protected wildlife and filled with experiences of traditional Bedouin pastimes, Al Maha offers a sophisticated, yet simple and serene experience to its guests. Sunset camel rides, desert safaris, wildlife drives, horse-riding and falconry are all part of the unique indigenous experience at the resort as well as soothing massage treatments at its spa with an infinity pool overlooking the sands, scrub and mountains.

A discrete suite of meeting rooms is available for small boardroom and executive conferences and the resort has been acclaimed as the ultimate incentive destination.

In addition, the Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa has taken on the mantle of a cultural treasure trove. Its initial collection of Arab antiques, artefacts and artworks acquired to fuel the Arabic experience in suites and public areas now expanded to more than 2,000 pieces covering carpets, tents, jewellery, brass coffee pots, camel bags and saddles as well as specially commissioned wildlife paintings.

SOURCE: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

The Eaton Hotel Hong Kong has announced a rebranding to Eaton Smart, Hong Kong effective 11 October 2010. As part of this exciting rebranding the hotel has spent over HK$10 million on refurbishing its lobby which includes a new reception, retail shop, internet portal and indoor and outdoor bar areas. Comfort, Convenience and Connectivity are key elements of the Eaton experience and the new lobby reflects this. The lobby provides easy accessibility to the reception area, restaurants, bars other guest service facilities. The Eaton design philosophy is to create an environment that is Simple, Smart and Soothing using an abundance of light along with the use of natural tones and materials with uncomplicated clean lines.

Wherever possible, organic elements have been introduced as part of the look and feel of the lobby, supporting Eaton’s commitment to sustainability. The introduction of a 6 metre high by 8 metre wide internal vertical green wall is an example with this new feature being Hong Kong’s largest indoor vertical wall within a hotel. The green wall features 3600 Sansevieria trifasciata – Mother in law’s tongue or Snake plants. These large leaf plants were specifically chosen to assist with improving indoor air quality through photosynthesis which reduces the velocity of mechanical air handling and the subsequent energy required to drive the air handling units.

The lobby also features another sustainable material which is Bamboo walling and flooring. Bamboo can easily and quickly be re-grown in a reasonably short time and is typically harvested every four to five years without actually destroying the plant. In addition, because of its resilience, bamboo doesn’t have to be refinished as often as hardwood. This cuts down on the chemicals necessary to maintain the floor.

Guests and visitors can enjoy viewing the new green wall while they relax in the newly refurbished T Garden which is Eaton’s new outdoor bar and dining area. Both areas are located on level L of the hotel.

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Fairmont Hotel & Resorts announces the opening of Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel, located only a few steps away from the Masjid Al Haraam and the Holy Ka’aba Islam’s most sacred site. Its unique and distinctive features will ensure a landmark presence offering warm and welcoming hospitality to its guests. The hotel is the focal point of the iconic Abraj Al Bait Complex, which is part of the King Abdul Aziz Endowment Project whose mandate is to upgrade the precincts of the Two Holy Mosques. Makkah Clock Royal Tower is the tallest concrete building in the world, with 76 stories reaching 577 meters and housing 858 rooms and suites. It is an integral feature of the development – the 40-meter clock, whose four facades are visible from 17 kilometers away and more than five times larger than Big Ben in London, will announce daily prayers to the Muslim world through amplifiers, thus reaching a radius of 7 kilometers.

The Tower houses a lunar observatory center, in addition to a museum for Islamic icons and objects of arts, serving to preserve and promote the region’s culture and heritage. The hotel demonstrates smart technology design, featuring 10 thousand kilometers of fiber optic cable for speedy communications and Internet connection for the guests. The property’s 76 elevators will provide comfortable transfers during Azan (calls to prayer) and high-occupancy Umrah and Hajj seasons and the hotel also features easy access to the Haram, as well as two large prayer rooms for male and female guests.

Guests at Makkah Clock Royal Tower will enjoy a variety of international cuisines including the innovative “Al-Dira”, which offers local flavors from the various districts of the Kingdom and will introduce guests to the culture of oriental Saudi cuisine.

For those planning functions in the city, Makkah Clock Royal Tower offers a selection of meeting rooms and event spaces while a 24-hour business center, high speed and wi-fi Internet access and translation services ensure business transactions are conducted effortlessly.

The Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark Hotel celebrated its grand reopening on 28th October 2010 after a three-year, multi-million dollar renovation, announced Ms. Kris Horacek, general manager. Prior to becoming a Renaissance in 2007, the property at 5501 Carnegie Boulevard was the Hyatt SouthPark, which was in need of a top-to-bottom renovation. The hotel’s new owners, Thomas Point Ventures, which is managed by the Marriott family, hired LS3P Associates, Ltd., to oversee the transformation.

According to Janet Garland Caponi, interior designer and associate principal for LS3P, “There were definite opportunities within the existing architectural space such as the four-story atrium space flooded with natural light, the fountains, and the intimate courtyard. The goal was to invigorate the space by enhancing these existing elements which easily blend the inside and out, while at the same time provide a unique local experience that stays true to the Renaissance brand.”

Ms. Caponi adds that they derived the local aspect through research on Queen Charlotte, who was a notable patron of the arts. Her love of classical music and botany inspired the designers to use art to weave her passions throughout the interior space.

The hotel’s fitness center was the first part of the building to be renovated and it became the prototype of the new green package design for all Renaissance hotels. The floors are made from recycled rubber, there is recycled content in the wall covering, the ceiling tiles were reused and painted, while the ribbon-patterned artwork – which hangs from floor to ceiling – are made from recycled water bottles and are GREENGUARD® certified.

The guest room renovation incorporated a bold color scheme and local photography as well as custom furnishings to facilitate technological connectivity. The guest room corridors and elevator lobbies were refurbished as well.

The hotel’s professional meeting spaces were redesigned to feel and function like upscale boardrooms and the ballrooms provide an elegant backdrop for formal events (the hotel is an in-demand wedding venue in Charlotte).

The lobby, atrium, Flagstones restaurant and The Bar at Flagstones were the final pieces of the renovation. The chandelier in the lobby cascades like rain drops and translucent panels behind the front desk are imbedded with ferns that tie back into the nature theme favored by Queen Charlotte. The bar now has dramatic lighting and opens up to the atrium with its modernized fountain. The new atrium trees provide a tall canopy and draw the eye up so the height of the space is realized.

Holiday Inn Mayfair has invested £85,000 on refreshing its restaurant and lounge. From lavish carpets, fixtures and fittings, the hotel is revealing its brand new look whilst retaining some of its original charm. The hotel’s Nightingales restaurant is the essence of modern retro design where guests can enjoy dinner under magnificent chandeliers. It provides an elegant backdrop for an after-work drink or informal business meeting, and guests can opt for a classic cocktail or choose from an extensive wine list.

Following the refresh, the restaurant boasts dark wood tables and chairs, luxurious carpets and contemporary colour photography of iconic landmarks and scenery in London.

Jon Beecroft, General Manager of Holiday Inn Mayfair, said: “The refresh was designed to create a fresh and contemporary feel, while still maintaining the restaurant’s traditional appeal. We’ve achieved exactly this and it is already receiving excellent guest feedback, proving popular with both overnight guests and passing visitors booking for a meal or drinks in the restaurant.”

The new and improved Holiday Inn Mayfair also boasts the new logo and forms part of a global refresh programme, which has seen an investment of USD$1 billion globally.

The Holiday Inn Mayfair is perfectly located in the fashionable West-End of London, close to Hyde Park, Oxford Street, Piccadilly, Bond Street and Leicester Square metres from Green Park tube station. The hotel can be found at: 3 Berkeley Street, London, W1J 8NE.

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts has recently announced the opening of Hyatt Regency Pune, the city’s first upper upscale deluxe hotel and residences complex. Catering to leisure and business travellers who visit the information technology, automotive and manufacturing hubs in one of India’s fastest growing cities, Hyatt Regency Pune is the first Hyatt property in Pune and will deliver authentic hospitality to its guests. This premier, gateway hotel is situated within the Weikfield IT Park in Pune’s upcoming IT corridor, a short drive from Lohegaon International Airport and 10 minutes from the upmarket entertainment areas of Koregaon Park and Kalyani Nagar. Accommodation and Design
Clad in warm golden Rajasthani stone, Hyatt Regency Pune is a contemporary hotel with extensive banquet, wedding and conference facilities, two innovative restaurants, a bar, a lounge, a gourmet store, a full service business centre, and a Hyatt Pure™ spa and fitness centre. With 222 guestrooms and suites now available, and 84 serviced apartments scheduled to open in 2011, the sprawling structure has beautifully landscaped outdoor spaces and dramatically lit water features which allow guests to feel a distinct ‘sense of arrival’ as they approach the hotel. Floor-to-ceiling swathes of glass separate the glistening marble lobby from the outdoor water fountains and tree-filled driveway.

The large, open-plan public spaces of the hotel’s interior have been artfully divided into smaller, more intimate areas by the hotel’s interior designers – Robert Bilkey and Oscar Llinas of BLD, USA. The clean, modern lines of Hyatt Regency Pune’s décor have been reiterated in the impressive chandelier which catches guests’ eyes at the hotel entrance. Made of thousands of icicle-like shards of glimmering crystal, the massive chandelier lights the way to the hotel’s two restaurants, the bar and the lounge area. A coloured glass bridge runs through the upper lobby and connects the hotel to the banquet and convention areas.

Hyatt Regency Pune’s comfortable and stylish guestrooms are filled with natural sunlight and decorated in soft neutral tones, highlighted by warm, golden sycamore wood accents and translucent glass. An outstanding feature in each room is the ‘sanctuary bathroom’ with a sparkling white Italian marble floor, free-standing bath tub and separate walk-in rain shower. All rooms are equipped to suit the needs of today’s business traveller — with wired and wireless Internet access, 40-inch LCD TVs and iPod docking stations. Spacious suites ranging from 905 to 1,775 sq ft (84 to 165 sq m) offer city views with luxurious living and dining areas.

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The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel groups worldwide and the leading international hotel operator in Russia/CIS, has opened the Park Inn Kazan. The brand new mid market hotel features 151 guest rooms and is very conveniently located in Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan. Famous sights such as the 16th century Kremlin (a World Heritage Site), the Qolsharif Mosque (Russia’s largest mosque) and the Soyembika Tower are nearby; Kazan International Airport is 22 km away, and the city’s main railway station 2.5 km. The Park Inn Kazan is a common project between Rezidor and Regional Hotel Chain LLC (RHC) – in 2009, both companies signed a strategic development agreement for at least 20 Park Inn hotels across the Russian Federation.

Besides 151 modern and comfortable rooms (including 3 suites and 2 rooms for disabled guests) with extras like internet access, flat screen television, individual climate control, mini-bar and safe, the Park Inn Kazan offers an all-day-dining restaurant: at RBG (Red Bar & Grill) guests enjoy signature burgers and steaks fresh from the grill, soups, salads and local dishes in a relaxed and contemporary ambiance. RBG covers 200 square meters and is complemented by a bar of almost 160 square meters – serving classic New York Style cocktails, beers and drinks.

The Park Inn Kazan is also an ideal venue for meetings and events, featuring an attractive pre-function area and 3 well-equipped, flexible meeting rooms between 21 and 32 square meters. All offer daylight, individual climate control, Internet access and latest audiovisual equipment. After a day at work, guests can enjoy the fitness centre of the hotel.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced plans to open its first Westin hotel in Phoenix, Arizona in February 2011. The Westin Phoenix Downtown will offer a prime location just one block from the Phoenix Convention Center, the city’s largest convention and entertainment facility. The 242-room hotel will feature sophisticated oversized guest rooms, averaging 550 square feet, as well as a full suite of the Westin brand’s signature amenities and services. The Westin Phoenix Downtown will occupy nine floors of a sleek, new 26-story building known as Freeport McMoRan Center, a significant new landmark on the downtown Phoenix skyline. Located at 333 North Central Avenue, the mixed-use complex will also feature 2,100 square feet of ground floor retail, premium office space and indoor parking. Surrounded by a choice of restaurants, shops and nightlife, the new hotel will be across the street from a METRO light rail station, where guests can hop on a train to Sky Harbor International Airport. Also nearby are the US Airways Center, Chase Field and Copper Square, and the regional headquarters for JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Bank of America. The Westin Phoenix Downtown will also be located adjacent to the Arizona State University Downtown campus, home to several of the university’s programs including the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

“Westin continues to be a market leader in the upper-upscale segment fueled by the success of its distinctive wellness positioning,” said Paul Sacco, Senior Vice President of North America Development. “Looking ahead, we have identified tremendous opportunities to grow the Westin brand in key markets across the Unites States through new builds, conversions and adaptive re-use development projects like the new Westin Phoenix Downtown.”

An ideal venue for weddings, social galas and business functions, The Westin Phoenix Downtown will feature nearly 9,000 square feet of meeting and banquet facilities, including pre-function space and the latest in meeting technology. The hotel will also feature a 24-hour WestinWORKOUT gym, enabling guests to maintain their exercise program and stay in the best possible shape, physically and mentally.

Thistle Hotels is due to celebrate the completion of its £3 million refurbishment of The Portland by Thistle, formerly Thistle Manchester – the restoration is scheduled to be finished in November. From this significant investment, the hotel has been transformed into a contemporary, relaxing and stylish base – ideal for business and leisure guests wanting a comfortable, quality experience in the heart of the city. The enhancement project, that sees the hotel revert to its original name of The Portland as a mark to its heritage, which dates back to its warehouse beginnings in 1851, has taken eight months to complete across seven floors and includes: 204 new look bedrooms with air conditioning units, two new lifts, and a refurbished front hall – as well as a refreshed Portland St Restaurant and Bar.

First established as a hotel in 1973, The Portland is a popular hub for local businesses as well as attracting both domestic and international guests, thanks to its central location nestled within the city centre – with easy access to the Airport and just minutes from Manchester Piccadilly station.

The hotel’s management will continue to invest in growing its meetings and events offering, following the refurbishment of The Portland’s Riley Suites, named collectively in honour of popular local artist Harold Riley, but separately known as the: Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Matt Busby, Dennis Law and Mercer; honouring the local football legends.

The recent refurbishment of The Portland by Thistle is further evidence of Thistle’s ongoing and significant investment in its properties. Since 2008, Thistle has invested £100 million, transforming its entire portfolio into modernised, individual properties with a contemporary look and feel.

Ian Corner, General Manager of The Portland, by Thistle comments: “The hotel lies at the very heart of the city and its heritage within Manchester, from its former years as a working warehouse, makes it a unique part of the city’s history. We’re proud that we can reveal the latest chapter in the property’s existence following our investment and are confident the refurbishment will re-establish The Portland, as it will now be known, as one of the city’s most fondly-regarded hotels.

The transformation of The Portland will place Thistle as a major force in Manchester’s business and leisure sector – a welcome stay for business and leisure guests travelling into the city.”

The Hilton Cardiff has scooped the prestigious title of Team of the Year at this year’s National Tourism Awards for Wales.

The hotel team beat out competition from across the Welsh tourism industry and was shortlisted among the Wales Millennium Centre and the Call of the Wild Ltd.Marie Fagan, general manager of the five star Hilton Cardiff, said, “We are absolutely delighted to win the award for Team of the Year and it is an honour to be recognised in this way. The team has worked very hard over the last year to continue to grow the property’s reputation in the heart of the capital city of Wales which has included launching the new Metropole Lounge in the hotel this month.

“Tourism is an important part of the Welsh economy so it is vital that we all play our part in improving the industry for quality and service to ensure that Wales can compete on a national and international platform.”

The National Tourism Awards for Wales are designed to recognise the value of the tourism industry to Wales and to reward those who offer a high quality, warm Welsh welcome to visitors. The awards were relaunched this year after last being held in 2007 and the winners were announced at a ceremony in Cardiff hosted by television presenter Sarra Elgan.

Chris Osborne, chair of the Wales Tourism Alliance, said, “We have a great deal to be proud of and the awards give us an opportunity to showcase the very best that Wales has to offer. With visitors becoming ever more discerning and more people choosing to stay closer to home for their holidays, the quality of our product becomes an increasingly important selling point and one that will bring visitors to us time and time again.”

Whittlebury Hall Management Training Centre and Hotel is delighted to be among the final short list for the Condé Nast Johansens Most Excellent MICE Award 2011 in association with Corinthia Hotels. The Management Training Centre and Hotel entered the Category ‘Venues and Hotels that accommodate groups of over 100’ and is delighted to be among the few finalists. Winners will be announced at The May Fair, on Monday 8th November 2010.

This new award recognises hotels and venues that demonstrate excellence throughout the customer’s experience as well as a passion for ensuring that every event achieves the maximum possible success.

General Manager, Bernhard Zechner says, “We are very excited to be part of these new awards which recognises a significant part of our business which sometimes goes unaccredited by other award bodies. We work very hard as a team and are passionate about our work, and this recognition goes a long way towards rewarding the efforts of our staff.”

Set in rural Northamptonshire, Whittlebury Hall Management Training Centre and Hotel is a unique venue offering extensive training, event and teambuilding facilities, and outstanding conference and banqueting suitable for up to 500 guests.

In addition, the award-winning Whittlebury Hall has 211 bedrooms, 4 restaurants, one of which holds 2AA Rosettes for fine dining excellence and The Day Spa, one of the largest Spa’s in the country with 23 treatments rooms and some of the latest in Heat and Ice facilities, and a leisure club in the hotel, which includes a 19-metre pool, whirlpool spa and 42-station Cybex gymnasium.

Wyndham Hotel Group has recently announced the opening of the new Ramada Hotel & Suites Bangkok, the company’s first managed Ramada® hotel in the Asia Pacific region.Owned by Sookjai Condominium Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of the Kokar group of companies, the 11-storey hotel features spacious studio and suite accommodations. The larger suite accommodations are particularly well-suited for extended-stay business travelers looking for apartment-size accommodations.

Located just five minutes from the bustling Sukhumvit Road, the Ramada Hotel & Suites Bangkok provides guests with the convenience of a central location while still offering peace and tranquility.

The Ramada Hotel & Suites Bangkok (Soi 12) is one of the four managed Ramada hotels set to open in Thailand by 2012. Agreements have already been signed on the 8-storey Ramada Encore Bangkok (Soi 10), a new-build property located in the Sukhumvit area; the 37-storey Ramada Hotel Bangkok (Soi 23), located close to the Asok BTS sky train station; as well as the 7-storey Ramada Plaza Bangkok (Soi 15), also owned by Sookjai Condominium Co. Ltd. in the Sukhumvit area.

The Rezidor Hotel Group announces the Radisson Blu Sortland in Norway – the new built resort- & conference hotel featuring 168 guest rooms is scheduled to open in 2013. Sortland, a small city in Northern Norway between Tromsø and Bodø, is a beautiful destination for activities such as hiking, cycling, boating, whale watching and fishing in the summer and dog sledding and views of the Northern Lights during winter. It is also a stop on the popular Hurtigruten cruises.

The Radisson Blu Sortland will be located at a waterfront site in the city centre. Besides 168 rooms the property will offer an all-day-dining restaurant with outdoor seating, a lobby bar, 300 square meters of meeting space, and a 1,500 square meters leisure area including 2 pools, 2 jacuzzis, 5 treatment rooms, saunas, and a climbing wall. In the adjacent Cultural Centre guests will find additional facilities for meetings and events on 900 square meters.

The Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the most important international hotel operators in Norway – the company’s portfolio in the country currently comprises 30 hotels in operation and under development with a total of 6,800 rooms. Rezidor is specialized in city hotels such as their flagship Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Oslo, but also grows the airport hotel- and resort portfolio: In Norway, the group recently opened the Park Inn Oslo Airport and already offers resorts in Beitostølen and Trysil.

Hotel Indigo, IHG’s (InterContinental Hotels Group) upscale boutique brand, continues to aggressively increase global distribution. In the last year, the brand has signed franchise agreements to open 13 new hotels in key global markets around the world, including London, Madrid, Shanghai, Hong Kong and New York.As the first global branded boutique, Hotel Indigo has shown rapid growth since its inception in 2004 with 36 hotels currently open and 57 hotels in the pipeline. Hotel Indigo has immediate development plans for properties in the following cities:

• Europe: Glasgow, Scotland (spring 2011); Liverpool, England (spring 2011); Madrid, Spain (spring 2012); Newcastle, England (summer 2012); Lisbon, Portugal (spring 2014)

• Asia Pacific: Shanghai, China (winter 2010); Taipei, China (fall 2011); Bangkok, Thailand (summer 2013); Hong Kong, China (2016)

• Americas: Vancouver, Canada (summer 2011); New Orleans (summer 2011); Mexico City (fall 2012); New York City Bryant Park (winter 2012)

Hotel Indigo offers guests a unique hotel experience with the modern design and intimate service associated with boutique hotels along with the peace of mind and consistency from staying with the world’s largest hotel group. The brand began its global roll out with the opening of Hotel Indigo London Paddington in December 2008 and will open its first hotel in Asia Pacific in Shanghai, China later this year.

Committed to creating and delivering a refreshing and inviting guest experience, each Hotel Indigo property is uniquely designed to reflect the culture, character and history of the surrounding neighbourhood.

Brand standards don’t dictate the number or size or rooms, making it ideally suited for conversion properties including independent boutique hotels. In the current economy, conversions are attractive to developers because they require less financing than new builds and can be up and running in a shorter period of time. Hotel Indigo properties have been successfully developed in adaptive reuse, conversion and new build projects.

Viceroy Anguilla has announced that Starwood Capital Group has completed the purchase of the loan originally made to the developer of the property, Barnes Bay Development. Viceroy Hotel Group will continue to manage and operate the property as Viceroy Anguilla. The acquisition of the property’s loan represents an important step in the current and future development of Viceroy Anguilla, whose first phase debuted in late 2009 and has this month reached full completion. “We have chosen to add Viceroy Anguilla to our portfolio because we believe in the vitality of the brand and their commitment to a luxury driven travel experience” commented Barry Sternlicht, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Starwood Capital Group.

Situated on 35 lush acres, with 3,200 feet of beachfront along Barnes and Meads Bays, Viceroy Anguilla redefines the very notion of a Caribbean luxury resort, with 166 contemporary beachfront and blufftop villas, sophisticated townhomes and opulent resort residences — the work of designer Kelly Wearstler. This summer, Viceroy Anguilla announced the completion of its two-story state-of-the-art Spa, which boasts 8,000 square feet of oceanfront treatment rooms and fitness facilities.

Also completed are two additional first-class dining venues, Aleta (June) and The Bamboo Bar & Grill (October). Aleta overlooks the resort’s sunrise pool and serves a menu of fresh seasonal selections in an aquatically inspired atmosphere. The relaxed Bamboo Bar & Grill offers the perfect time-out from the beach with an array of light snacks and casual meals. Guests can order from a lounge chair or stroll in for a shaded rush-woven seat at the Caribbean grill. In the evening, the space transforms into a sophisticated beachside steak house and barbecue destination, complete with tiki torches, steel drum tones and local crayfish and lobster for a modern twist on traditional Caribbean dining.

Those seeking a breathtaking event setting will also delight in Viceroy Anguilla’s new meeting spaces, the Joannis Areca Salons. The 960-square-foot room can accommodate 30 people and is ideal for board meetings, executive summits and professional groups seeking fully wired and full-service meeting space. Additionally, the new beachfront setting at Bamboo Grill is the perfect venue for welcome receptions and farewell events.

The eagerly anticipated St Pancras Renaissance Hotel London will officially open in London’s Kings Cross in May 2011 following a £150 million renovation by Manhattan Loft Corporation in conjunction with London & Continental Railways. The original hotel – The Midland Grand Hotel- was designed and built by renowned Victorian architect Sir George Gilbert Scott and opened on 5th of May 1873. The historic building has now been lovingly and masterfully restored to re-open exactly 138 years after the original and once again become one of London’s most iconic hotels.
The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel London exemplifies High Victorian Gothic architecture in its most dramatic sense, the stunning red-brick building having being saved from demolition in the sixties by a protest led by former Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman. The magnificent interior has been restored to its former glory with painstaking attention to detail using an expert team of craftsmen and painters. Many of the original areas of the hotel considered of particular historical importance have been carefully restored including the famous staircase, widely revered as the most majestic in England, with windows measuring over 50 feet and crowned by an elaborate vaulted ceiling that has been featured in many films including Batman. The hotel’s infamous sweeping forecourt will provide a fitting entrance to the new hotel that will showcase gold-leaf ceilings, ornate wall murals and the spectacular grand staircase.

The 245-room St Pancras Renaissance Hotel London will consist of two parts, the historic St Pancras Chambers which will house 38 elegant and spacious Victorian bedroom suites, and Barlow House, the newly created 120,000 square foot extension featuring guestrooms boasting original artwork and contemporary design. Guests can re-live the glamour of the Victorian era at either The Booking Office Bar & Restaurant- re-created in the original ticket office- or the celebrity chef restaurant and bar occupying the original entrance hall. The hotel will also house a 350 capacity ballroom, private club, barber’s shop and luxury spa.

Preserving the glamour of the old station and the romance of rail travel during the 1800’s, the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel London will maintain its elegance and charm by offering global travellers a gateway to London in the form of one of the city’s greatest landmarks. The opening of the hotel will mark the completion of the regeneration of St Pancras International Station, now the home of the Eurostar.

Tina Edmundson, senior vice president lifestyle brands for Marriott International’s Renaissance Hotels said, “After many years, we are excited to be able to announce the official launch date and are looking forward to showcasing the re-development of this great masterpiece in the coming year. Renaissance Hotels are all about discovery, and unique experiences–with its fascinating history and dramatic architecture, I can not imagine a property that captivates the imagination more than St Pancras and we are thrilled to welcome it in to the Renaissance family. The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel London will no doubt become a flagship for the Renaissance brand not only in Europe but around the world.”

Harry Handelsman, owner and CEO of Manhattan Loft Corporation added, “I am delighted that after more than 10 years of meticulous hard work, we have now restored this most historic building to its former glory, giving it a new lease on life. Since the unveiling of St Pancras International in 2007, the station has given a much deserved regeneration to the Kings Cross and the opening of the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel London marks the completion of this massive achievement for London.”

Carlson, a privately held, global hospitality and travel company, has announced it has signed an agreement to develop a USD 130 million Radisson Blu hotel with Mortenson Development, Inc. in their Twin Cities home town. The 501-room upper-upscale hotel will be a cornerstone of Mall of America’s Phase II upscale expansion. Construction of the hotel is expected to begin in December 2010 and its opening is planned for late 2012.The Radisson Blu Hotel at Mall of America in Minneapolis will be the second Radisson Blu to open in the United States, with Chicago’s distinctive Aqua skyscraper being home to the first Radisson Blu, expected to open in fall 2011.

The Radisson Blu Hotel at Mall of America will be the first hotel connected by sky bridge to Mall of America® and will be situated on the south side between Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s department stores. The hotel will feature three of the new Radisson Room Styles including Urban, Naturally Cool and NY Mansion House. It will also feature a restaurant and lounge, spa and fitness facilities, and more than 23,000 square feet of meeting space, encompassing two ballrooms; and an indoor pool. The hotel will be off of Interstate 494, three miles from Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport and only 20 minutes from downtown via the city’s light rail system.

Kurt Hagen, senior vice president, Mall of America said, “We have been working with Mortenson Development for nearly three years to develop an upper-end hotel that would be an integral part of the mall and we are excited that we found the ideal fit with Carlson. The addition of the Radisson Blu Hotel will be a strong new anchor for the mall and coincides perfectly with our upscale expansion that features many new and existing luxury tenants and all of the world-class additions that will be included in our Phase II expansion.” He added, “Carlson, along with its Radisson hotel brand, and Mall of America, are all great Minnesota brands that are recognized globally.”

Carlson announced its Ambition 2015 growth strategy earlier this year. The strategy is fueled by an investment program of up to USD 1.5 billion focused on positioning Radisson in North America as a powerful, globally consistent first-class brand. Recognized around the world for its contemporary design, Radisson Blu delivers upper-upscale hospitality.

SOURCE: Carlton

Enchanting European hospitality is set to arrive in the dynamic city of Shenzhen in southern China following the signing of a management agreement between Langham Hotels International and Shenzhen East Pacific Group. The Langham, Shenzhen will open in Futian, the city’s new business and commercial district in 2012.Shenzhen, in the Pearl River Delta Special Economic Zone, is home to one of China’s key ports and is a gateway city into the region.

The Langham, Shenzhen will form part of the Shenzhen East Pacific International Centre, a complex that includes serviced apartments, luxury retail and commercial space just minutes from the Hong Kong border and 30 minutes from the international airport, making it ideal for business and leisure travellers. Adjacent is the prominent landmark China Merchant Bank building, a key focal point on the Futian landscape.

The Langham, Shenzhen, will feature 352 luxuriously elegant guestrooms and suites, many of which will enjoy stunning views of Shenzhen Bay. Among the services The Langham guests can expect will be a grand two-storey Langham Club lounge offering classic butler service.

Dining and entertainment options will include Palm Court, a sister to the original London home of afternoon tea, T’ang Court, a signature Cantonese restaurant with six private rooms and sibling of its two-Michelin star sister in Hong Kong and a cosy bar featuring an extensive wine cellar and open fireplaces.

The Langham, Shenzhen’s meeting spaces will be home to some of the city’s most luxuriously-styled events. From the rooftop Star Ballroom with its own VIP elevators and exceptional views of the bay to the luxurious surroundings of its five versatile meeting spaces, making a grand entrance will never be easier.

Meanwhile, the property features a fitness centre as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools for relaxation and recreation. It will also host Chuan Spa, the only international spa based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The spa will also showcase landscaped outdoor gardens adjacent to the contemplation rooms.

Mr. Albert Li, Managing Director, of Shenzhen East Pacific Group said: “Our new development in the core business district of Shenzhen requires a partner who truly understands luxury hospitality and would bring a new perspective to the city’s landscape. The Langham brand echoes our vision with its heritage of timeless elegance and innovative indulgence.”

Brett Butcher, Chief Executive Officer of Langham Hotels International said: “Shenzhen is a remarkable city which is showing increased demand for luxury hotels. We’re delighted to be introducing our enchanting European-style hospitality that will position The Langham at the very top of the luxury hospitality sector in one of China’s fastest growing cities. We look forward to great success on this groundbreaking development with our forward-looking partners, Shenzhen East Pacific Group.”

Just completed and newly built on the site of the Old School House and Youth Hostel at Legburthwaite near Keswick, is the stunning 40-bed hotel Lodge in the Vale. Located only five minutes away from Keswick, the hotel is the latest addition to the Lake District Inns & Cottages portfolio of high quality accommodation. Andy Thornton won the contract to provide the reception desk, bar servery counter, furniture and flooring for the Lodge in the Vale, having successfully completed four previous projects for long-time client Derek Sweeney.

With a flexible brief, Andy Thornton Senior Designer Stephen Shaw took inspiration from the beautiful surrounding landscape and incorporated natural and locally sourced materials throughout the project. The bespoke oak curved desk in the hotel’s reception was hand-crafted by Andy Thornton’s skilled joinery department, and features intricate finger joint detail in the top. And in an eye-catching focal point, Lumicor panels in the desk front feature real fern leaves between two layers of resin, internally illuminated to stunning effect.

The use of natural and locally sourced materials continues with the use of end grain oak flooring and end grain larch in the bar counter, showcasing the natural beauty of wood grain. Unique slate flooring from the local Kirkstone quarry provides a pleasing contrast to the timber floor.

Andy Thornton also supplied furniture from their extensive contract furniture range throughout the reception and bar/lounge area, using an eclectic mix and match of chairs, as well as bar stools and sofas in wood and leather. The company’s Madrid wall lights were also used extensively.

The resulting interior has a natural, light and airy contemporary feel. To add that finishing touch, dramatic Lake District landscapes from local fine art photographer Jon Allison adorn the reception and bar area walls, mirroring the breathtaking views from the Lodge itself.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced that The St. Regis will open in November 2010, which will be the first St. Regis resort in China. Located on the “Roof of the World”, 3,680 meters above sea level, this stunning resort offers an unrivaled dimension of luxury, bespoke service and refined elegance at one of the most mystical and exotic addresses in the world.Located on Jiangsu Road and situated in the famous ancient Barkhor area, The St. Regis Lhasa Resort is just minutes away from the holy Potala Palace and 75km away from Gongga Airport. It features 150 beautifully adorned oversized rooms and villas and 12 suites including the Presidential Suite, as well as world-class restaurants, bars, an exclusive Iridium Spa, ballroom and state-of-the-art meeting space. The St. Regis Lhasa Resort will be the first international luxury hotel in Tibet.

All the hotel guest rooms are accented by local artifacts and distinctive décor reflecting rich Tibetan culture and heritage. Plasma TVs, multi-channel cable, high speed internet access, spacious marble bathroom, exquisite furnishings and exclusive amenities create a soothing yet luxurious setting for discerning global travelers.

The St. Regis Lhasa Resort will also offer an array of epicurean tastes and experiences including; Social – an all-day dining restaurant offering a wide selection of international cuisine; Si Zi Kang is the first gastronomic Tibetan restaurant where guests are invited to savor authentic Tibetan and Nepalese cuisine in a sophisticated and relaxed setting; Yan Ting Chinese Restaurant has six private dining rooms specializing in Cantonese and Sichuanese cuisine; The unique Tea Room, the first of its kind, offering different blends of local and imported teas, and serving vintage teas aged from 10-25 years; Decanter by Haut-Brisson, the first wine bar serves over 140 labels of wine, liquors and aged cigars, aim to entice the adventurous’ palate.

The exclusively designed Iridium Spa combines a 5-star spa experience with traditional Tibetan herbal treatments and ensures absolute soothing relief from altitude stress. Guests can choose to immerse themselves the gold-leaf immersion pool, or partake in Yoga or Pilates in the Meditation Garden.

For guests seeking an exclusive and memorable wedding destination, The St. Regis Lhasa Resort offers an exceptional venue, unparalleled in setting and service.

With the most luxurious meeting and function rooms in Tibet for social and corporate gatherings, the hotel is also a perfect choice for meeting groups which are looking for a new and exceptional destination.

The St. Regis Lhasa Resort will be a green hotel. Committed to environmental sustainability and social responsibility, the hotel has put forth great effort to reduce its’ carbon footprint and save energy. By utilizing solar energy and underground water, the St. Regis Lhasa Resort can save on diesel energy consumption every year by 93,000 kg and 75,000 kg respectively. The hotel also operates a fleet of high-efficiency hybrid and turbo-diesel vehicles, which helps to reduce emission by 30%. Through these sustainability actions, the St. Regis Lhasa Resort will effect positive environmental change and enhance the local community.

SOURCE: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Step aside, notoriously utilitarian airport hotels. The bar has just been raised. The Inn at Oyster Point near San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers waterfront accommodation in a resort-like setting with a beach, and, if you arrive by bay, a slip in the marina out front to park your boat. As if that weren’t enough to stand out from the run-of-the-mill airport hotels in the area, the Inn just completed a stunning renovation, transforming itself into a uniquely stylish accommodation complete with designer interiors and original art that seems like it should be anywhere but near a major airport.“We want to attract a younger, frequent business traveler who enjoys staying in a hotel with a sense of style and personality, as well as a complete array of business services,” said Kristen Phillips, Director of Operations for Waterford Hotels and Inns, the management company for the Inn. “We wanted this hotel to be tasteful yet modern, elegant but with many surprises, like the unusual art collection.”

As South San Francisco’s most recent hotel remodel, the 20-year-old Inn at Oyster Point began its bold facelift in early 2010. The 30-room hotel was made over by the Andrew Alford Design Studio, and inspired by the most famous interior designer of the 1940-‘50s, Dorothy Draper. “I wanted to turn the hotel into a jewel box work of art,” said Alford. “At Oyster Point, I muted the provocative design in the guestrooms and expanded it in the public spaces,” he said. From the quirky, conversation-starting art to the leopard print chairs, the hotel carries out Dorothy Draper’s philosophy to “always put in one controversial item – it makes people talk.”

All 30 oversized guest rooms (22 queens, 6 kings, 2 double-queens) at The Inn at Oyster Point feature unexpected extras few airport hotels offer:
• Charming view of the bay and marina from a bay window
• Fireplace
• Two prints plus additional art
• Oversized work desk and separate, comfortable seating area
• Fresh, expanded, complimentary continental room-service breakfast
• Large bathroom with spa robes and eco-friendly amenities
• iHome unit with iPod docking station
• Free Wi-Fi
• MiniBar

The Inn at Oyster Point also attracts small meetings to its elegant Boardroom that seats 12, chic living-room lounge known as The Hamilton Room, which is perfect for informal get-togethers and receptions, and the hotel’s SouthHarbor Restaurant, where guests may enjoy outdoor deck dining.

The Inn at Oyster Point, owned by Oyster Point Lodging, LLC, is located at 425 Marina Blvd., South San Francisco, CA 94080.

The famous Barceló Harrogate Majestic Hotel has fully reopened its fantastic health and beauty facilities.

The stylish Orchid Rooms are open for business once again to offer guests a range of fabulous Decléor treatments using the all very best products, for everything from facials to aromatherapy massages. The spa’s expert team of professional therapists will once again work their magic to leave guests feeling relaxed and revitalized. Lynn Roach, Salon Manager at the Barceló Harrogate Majestic Hotel, says: “It is such a shame that we have not been able to look after our regular clients because the hotel was closed but I am sure they will be delighted with new look Decléor spa. We have a whole new range of exciting treatments available and we are looking forward to welcoming back our loyal customers as well as seeing some new faces.”

Meanwhile the hotel’s separate Health Club has also reopened following an extensive makeover which sees the pool area fully modernised and new hardwood loungers and seating introduced making the area perfect for relaxation. The gym and reception area have been redecorated and there are new flat screen TVs to keep gym users entertained. The club also now benefits from a fully refurbished outdoor tennis court. Emma Lowery, the newly appointed Health Club Manager says, “It’s an exciting time welcoming back our members and showing them the improvements that have been made and as well as signing up new members.”

The Barceló Harrogate Majestic Hotel is a landmark Victorian hotel in the bustling spa town of Harrogate. Set in 8 acres of stunning grounds, surrounded by boutiques and antique shops, the hotel is renowned for its true Yorkshire hospitality.

Macdonald Hotels Management Services has obtained the sales and marketing contract for Eastwell Manor in Ashford, Kent further strengthening Macdonald Hotels & Resorts’ portfolio of 4 and 5 star properties across the UK.The leading hotel group will assist the 4 red star, 62 bed property for the next five years, a welcome addition to its existing collection of associate and managed hotels. These include; Royal Garden Hotel, Gisborough Hall Hotel, The Roxburghe Hotel, Savill Court Hotel & Spa, Pendley Manor and The Rose & Crown Hotel.

“The addition of Eastwell Manor represents our commitment to continuously enrich our existing product offering in line with the needs of the market. It also represents an expansion for us for the first time into Kent, well-renowned as the Garden of England.” explains Ruaridh Macdonald, Sales & Marketing Director, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts.

Mark Parrett, Director of Eastwell Manor, added; “We look forward to working in partnership with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts. With such an established reputation within the sector, we are confident that this will be a fruitful relationship for both parties.”

Eastwell Manor makes for an ideal business destination, offering conference and events facilities for up to 120 delegates, complimentary wi-fi and extensive grounds for teambuilding. In addition, the hotel boasts a golf course, luxury spa and leisure facilities and is set in a 3,000 acre estate made up of magnificent formal gardens, pétanque pitches and croquet lawns.

IHG has expanded its presence in Argentina with the opening of the InterContinental Mendoza. Owned by KLP Emprendimientos S.A., the 15-story InterContinental Mendoza totals 180 guestrooms, inclusive of 24 suites. A completed second tower with an additional 72 rooms will be available shortly, bringing the total number of rooms to 252, inclusive of 36 suites. The InterContinental Mendoza boasts 11 meeting rooms totaling 22,500 square feet, including a 12,000 square foot ballroom, and also has 18,000 square feet of pre-function space. Its amenities include a full-service spa named Deyabu, swimming pool, gym and restaurant.

It is the 18th InterContinental Hotels & Resorts property in Latin America and the Caribbean, with three additional currently under construction.

The property is IHG’s second InterContinental in Argentina, joining with the venerable InterContinental Buenos Aires. A third InterContinental is currently under construction in Argentina – the InterContinental Nordelta Buenos Aires, Residence & Spa, in the Nordelta area of Buenos Aires.

Hilton Worldwide has entered into a Franchise Agreement with J.G.J. Proyectistas S.A.C., a Real Estate Developer based in Lima, Peru, to introduce the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand to the Peruvian market with the 230-room new build Hilton Lima Miraflores. The hotel is scheduled to open in Q1 2012.”Now is a period of tremendous global growth for the Hilton brand and this partnership will create an exceptional property in Peru’s capital city,” said Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand. “With a population exceeding nine million people, Lima is a major market for international travel and key to our strong presence in South America.”

Already under construction, Hilton Lima Miraflores is located in Miraflores, an upscale area of Lima known for its shopping areas, gardens, flower-filled parks, beaches and fine dining. The hotel’s close proximity to the MiraCorp Business Corporate Center and a thriving culinary scene makes it ideal for business and leisure travelers. As both the capital and largest city in Peru, rich in history and culture, Lima is an attractive destination.

“We are delighted to work in partnership with Hilton Worldwide to bring the first Hilton hotel to Peru. With the city of Lima’s ever-increasing demand for upscale accommodations, we are positioned to be the number-one choice for travelers,” said Ursula Vargas, commercial chief, J.G.J. Proyectistas S.A.C.
The hotel will reflect a sophisticated, modern Peruvian esthetic. Guests will have a choice of accommodations with 173 king or double queen rooms, 39 executive rooms, 17 suites, one Presidential suite, and executive floors with concierge service. The hotel will provide a great base for events and business travelers, with ten meeting rooms, a business center and a grand ballroom that accommodates 450 people. On premises there will also be a restaurant, lobby bar and Pisco bar, as well as a sky terrace with a pool, spa and fitness center

Thistle Hotels has recently announced the appointment of Tim Howes as General Manager of The Grand, Bristol. In this role, Howes will oversee the day-to-day management of the hotel, responsible for establishing The Grand as one of Bristol’s leading leisure and business destinations and raising its profile as one the best hotels in the heart of Bristol’s city centre.Situated in the heart of the city, the four star The Grand hotel has recently benefited from a £9 million refurbishment, bringing the Victorian building’s interiors up-to-date yet still retaining the original charm and character it’s most famous for. The renovation included a refresh of the hotel’s 182 bedrooms, 10 meeting rooms and in particular, its spectacular Grand Ballroom.

Commenting on his move, Tim Howes said: “The Grand is perfectly situated in the heart of the city and its refurbishment has put us in a great position for further establishing our position as being one of the best hotels Bristol has to offer, for both business and leisure guests. Dating back to the Victorian era, the hotel has an unrivalled heritage in the city and I’m looking forward to building on the history of the property as well as the fondness of the hotel from the local Bristol community.”

Darren Patt, Regional Operations Director, Thistle Hotels, comments: “We’ve invested significantly in the refurbishment of The Grand, transforming it into one of the most desirable business and leisure hotels in the city. The next step for us is to continue to raise its profile and increase awareness of its fantastic features – we believe Tim’s experience makes him well placed to take on this role.”

Hilton Worldwide has recently announced the signing of a franchise agreement with AD UTIP Crna Gora to open a new Hilton hotel in Podgorica, Montenegro. Scheduled to open by the end of 2012, Hilton Podgorica Montenegro is Hilton Worldwide’s first hotel signing in the country and will see the multi-million euro redevelopment of a historic building in the city.The 200 guest room Hilton Podgorica Montenegro will enjoy a prominent location in the centre of Podgorica, the capital city of Montenegro. The historical site has operated as a hotel since 1952 and before opening as a Hilton hotel will undergo significant renovations and re-design, resulting in an enhanced guest offering.

The signing marks the continued expansion of the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand in Europe. The hotel is joining a fast growing portfolio of stylish and forward thinking hotels in the region, including the recently opened Hilton The Hague and Hilton Gdansk, with many more iconic properties being opened in the next few years.

Podgorica is the largest city in Montenegro and is home to the main seat of government administration as well as the country’s economic, cultural and educational centres. Tourism in Montenegro has been a growing part of the country’s economy since the 1980s; with visitors enjoying the beautiful architecture, picturesque lakes and mountain scenery and the premium visitor attractions of the Adriatic coast. The city also acts as a transport hub in soueastern Europe, with links to Serbia, Bosnia and to the coastal ports.

When open, guests will be able to enjoy newly designed bedrooms, a spa and wellness centre, restaurant, bar and bistro. The hotel will offer 900 square metres of event space with a ballroom and an original grand staircase as a focal point. Hilton Podgorica Montenegro forms part of a wider mixed use development that will also include a new luxury retail centre and casino.

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) have announced the recent opening of the Holiday Inn Express Staten Island, conveniently located near the three major metropolitan area airports and Interstate 95. The new hotel, with a meeting room and business center as well as a Nordic Track Fitness Center, is designed to meet the needs of those visiting the area on vacation or on business.The Holiday Inn Express Staten Island features the brand’s new logo, which is the seal of approval that it exemplifies the standards of the $1 billion Holiday Inn brand relaunch program.

The Holiday Inn Express Staten Island is also close to the Teleport and Business Park of Staten Island, Wagner College, the University of Staten Island and Staten Island University Hospital. Featuring high-speed wireless and wired Internet connections in each room in addition to a business center, the hotel offers meeting space that can be used as a classroom, boardroom or auditorium for up to 70 people.

Guests at the five-story 95-room Holiday Inn Express will experience a comfortable and smart environment with innovative preferred guest upgrades to ensure a pleasant stay while traveling for business or leisure. The new hotel features a state-of-the art fitness center, 24-hour business center and breakfast facilities where a complimentary hot breakfast buffet is served. The hotel also offers free parking and complimentary USA Today newspapers.

All guest rooms include 35” flat-screen televisions and the SimplySmart™ shower, which 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 also enjoy the SimplySmartTM 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 Holiday Inn Express Staten Island is in a good position to accommodate the growing market of 1.5 million tourists who take the Staten Island Ferry annually with fantastic service and new amenities throughout the hotel”, said Amit Gandhi, president M&R Hospitality Management. “Staten Island has an abundance of parks, cultural attractions and fine dining and by increasing quality accommodations for our visitors, the notion that Staten Island is a tourist friendly borough is reinforced,” said Gandhi.

The Holiday Inn Express Staten Island is owned by HIE Staten Island Holdings and managed by M&R Hotel Group under a licensing agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group. M&R Hotel Group also owns and manages the Holiday Inn Express LaGuardia Airport and the Holiday Inn Express JFK Airport.

Dolce Hotels and Resorts has been selected by Village Hospitality LLC to rebrand and manage the former Ritz-Carlton® Lake Las Vegas that closed in May 2010. Dolce plans to open the new property in the first quarter of 2011.Dolce specialises in delivering meetings, weddings and other social event experiences through personalised service, premier cuisine and state-of-the-art facilities. The Lake Las Vegas resort is a natural fit for Dolce’s portfolio, which focuses on properties situated just outside major metropolitan areas on sprawling grounds where guests can recharge and reconnect.

The 349-room-and-suite resort sits on 15 acres of the master-planned Lake Las Vegas development, which features stunning vistas, miles of green, two resort-hotels, two marinas, residences and a European-style village. Its Mediterranean architecture featuring clay tile roofs and arched doorways is reminiscent of Europe’s colourful waterside villages. The property showcases 32,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space and a 30,000-square-foot spa and fitness centre, with multiple dining and lounge experiences. Located next to the resort’s spa, a heated pool provides guests a sophisticated retreat to relax year-round. The property adjoins MonteLago Village, offering scenic walking streets of boutiques and restaurants.

The resort can accommodate gatherings ranging in size from 10 to 1,000 attendees. Its advanced meeting space features an 11,841-square-foot ballroom with 7,423 square feet of pre-function area, a smaller 4,700-square-foot junior ballroom and 10 function rooms that include two elegantly appointed boardrooms. Technological amenities include state-of-the art electrical, lighting and sound systems, soundproof air walls and high-speed internet access in key gathering locations. Direct ballroom access is available for large vehicles and other oversized display items.

Lake Las Vegas is a pristine, master-planned 3,600-acre residential and recreational community surrounding a fresh water lake. Its old-world Mediterranean theme is reflected in the overall design and ambiance of this charming destination, unique to the desert southwest.

Four Points by Sheraton is proving that timeless, stylish comfort and great value translate around the world. The sizzling brand will open ten new hotels across the globe before the end of the year, with new properties slated for cities in six countries on three continents. With the openings, Four Points will command a presence in 28 countries, up from 24 just this year.The news comes on the heels of Four Points’ announcement of its milestone 150th hotel. Four Points’ momentum will continue into 2011 as the fast-growing brand continues to debut in business and travel hubs around the world.

Just this month, new Four Points hotels will open their doors in Lagos, Nigeria (222 rooms) and Galveston, TX (118 rooms), and in October will open in Tucson, AZ. In November, Four Points will inaugurate properties in Tripoli, Libya (205 rooms), Bangkok, Thailand (268 rooms), and Tai’an, China (311 rooms).

Global growth will propel Four Points through the end of the year, with December debuts in Pune, India (215 rooms), Visakhapatnam, India (122 rooms), Houston, TX (79 rooms), and Memphis, TN (125 rooms).

Four Points’ billion-dollar revitalization, combined with its great value proposition, helped elevate it to become one of the fastest growing brands in Starwood’s portfolio.

SOURCE: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

The new resort development Fairmont Mina Al Fajer will debut in the latter part of 2011, offering both leisure and corporate guests a distinctive experience along the breathtaking coastline of the Gulf of Oman. The project is being developed by the UAE-based Mina Al Fajer Real Estate, LLC.Located on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates with sweeping views of the Gulf and lauded for its natural beauty set against the backdrop of the historic Hajar Mountains, the project will consist of an 88-room hotel and the Fairmont Estates – 13 four-bedroom solarium villas slated for completion spring 2011. Guests will enjoy dedicated meeting facilities, a selection of dining venues, Fairmont’s signature Willow Stream Spa, a marina and a private beach. The mixed-use development will also contain mountain villas and marina apartments, for additional residential offerings.

“We are extremely pleased to add such a popular option for travelers in the region to our collection,” said Chris Cahill, President, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and COO, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International. “Fairmont Mina Al Fajer will complement our properties in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Cairo and will further strengthen our brand recognition in this very important market along with future key locations in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Muscat, Oman.”

With natural beauty unmatched in the region, Fujairah features breathtaking mountains and valleys that sweep down into a beautiful palm-fringed coastal plain, and the destination experiences warm temperatures with seasonal differences. The pristine golden beaches are just 90 minutes from Dubai and the area also offers distinctive attractions including ancient fjords, palm groves, hot springs, historical landmarks and is perfect for diving and water sports.

Radisson Edwardian Manchester has been awarded best Large Hotel at England’s Northwest Tourism Awards.Organised by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), the 2010 England’s Northwest Tourism Awards has once again celebrated the best of the region’s tourism, providing a showcase for industry best-practice and top-quality tourism businesses in Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire.

The hotel beat off stiff competition from Best Western Premier Leyland Hotel, Best Western Premier Queen Hotel, Armathwaite Hall Country House Hotel and Spa and Hope Street Hotel who all went head to head in the hope to be crowned best Large Hotel.

Commented General Manager Stephen Miles: “I am absolutely thrilled that we have been awarded the Large Hotel award again and I am very proud of the whole team for all their efforts. Our focus helps us to deliver consistently high standards, we will continue to maintain our quality visitor experience and do the region proud.”

A total of 16 accolades were presented to winners from across the region. The evening was hosted by Felicity Goodey, Chair of Tourism in England’s Northwest, who was also honored with a special recognition prize.

Hallmark Hotels has acquired its sixth hotel; Hallmark Gloucester, retaining staff and set to begin a £3 million refurbishment.Situated in the Cotswolds, the former Ramada hotel is located just two miles from Gloucester city centre. The hotel includes a pool, health club and beauty salon as well as exceptional corporate and events facilities. The new owners, Hallmark Hotels, will be looking to upgrade the hotel from its current three stars to bring the property in line with the rest of the four-star Hallmark collection.

Managing Director, Arnold Schnegg comments:
“Hallmark Gloucester is a fantastic property in a great location and will make an excellent addition to the Hallmark portfolio. The refurbishment will begin in January 2011 and in the mean time we will be bringing the service and standards up to the level our customers expect from our hotels.”

All 75 current staff will be retained by Hallmark and it is hoped that further jobs will be created as the hotel is re-launched and begins to flourish.

Hallmark Hotel Gloucester marks the sixth hotel to join the Hallmark group along with Hallmark Hotels Bournemouth, Manchester, Derby, Carlisle and most recently Hull, all of which have undergone similar work to restore them to their former glory with décor befitting the boutique style of the Hallmark brand.

Amendment to the refurbishment start date: work will commence in October 2010 with a completion date of April 2011.

Sol Meliá, the leading hotel company in Spain and Latin America, has announced the start of operations in the USA with the opening of the Meliá Atlanta, under a management agreement, allowing the company to develop its growth strategy in the biggest market in the world and positioning its most international brand in one of the most important business destinations in the country.The hotel has been run to date by the Marriott chain under the name Renaissance Atlanta Hotel Downtown, and will be taken over by Sol Meliá from 15 October. The new Meliá Atlanta will be fully adapted to the brand standards thanks to the owner’s investment of 35 million dollar in a renovation process through to 2013.

Located in the financial district of Atlanta (capital of the State of Georgia, home to some of the biggest corporations in the USA), very near the city Technology Park, the hotel is a modern 502 room property which is perfect for both business and leisure travellers and has easy access to the Hartsfield-Jackson international airport, the busiest airport in the world. The Meliá Atlanta also provides 2,700 square meters of meeting space for events, excellent leisure facilities and a great choice of dining options.

The hotel is owned by Fundus America and the takeover is a landmark for the Sol Meliá growth and diversification strategy, allowing the company to gain a foothold in the biggest market in the world and earn brand recognition which will enhance the opening of hotels in new destinations in the USA. In the words of Gabriel Escarrer, Vice Chairman and CEO of Sol Meliá, “the company is very excited about the addition of the new Meliá Atlanta and I’m sure it will help us give a boost to many projects we would like to develop in the USA over the coming years”. Henk Habers, Chairman of the WingField Group, the real estate company involved in the operation, emphasised that the quality of the hotel after it adapts to the Meliá brand standards, and its privileged location in downtown Atlanta, will make the Meliá Atlanta the “preferred destination for both business and leisure travellers”.

Sol Meliá is currently immersed in an intense period of growth and has managed to extend its brand presence to the most dynamic markets in the world: Asia, major European capitals, the Mediterranean coast and the Caribbean, amongst others. In the Americas the hotel company operates hotels in Brazil, Argentina, México, Venezuela and Costa Rica, amongst others and also achieved a major deal in the USA in June with the sale of its TRYP brand to the giant Wyndham Hotel Group, creating a strategic alliance to develop the new “Tryp by Wyndham” brand in major markets, including the USA.

Source: Sol Meliá

Tune Hotels opened their first European hotel in Waterloo at the end of August. Tune Westminster is a conversion by Directory design practice Occa of the old Lambeth Building Society headquarters. Creating a stylish hotel where the room size is less than 9sq.metres has been quite a challenge but the practice has risen to it, creating space to a walk around the bed and a podded shower room to provide the en-suite.Tune use the advanced computer control card technology to break down the cost of the room. With advanced proximity locking and the now familiar indicator panel outside the door the key card now controls the sockets in the room. This has enabled the operator to break down the offer and use the flexibility to reduce the base cost. Not for nothing have they been called the easyjet of hotels.

A basic room cost may be £35 for a basement windowless room, or £45 for a room with a triple glazed sound proofing window, but there is then a scale of charges for what is called by the hotel ‘non-essential’ services. So if you want the power tuned on to the room TV you will pay £3 for 24 hours. 24hr internet is £3 more, use of the safe £2 and so on. If during your stay you want fresh towels then this will cost £1.50 -a useful reversal of the ‘drop them on the floor’ supposedly green approach of other hotels. The room rate of course leads to the guest making ‘value driven’ decisions With London average rooms rates topping £170 this represents extraordinarily good value.

London hotel group Radisson Edwardian has been awarded three gold and 11 silver accreditations across the board for their 12 luxury London hotels by the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS). The GTBS is the national sustainable tourism certification scheme for the UK, providing environmental advice and auditing to the hospitality industry.

Each of Radisson Edwardian’s 4 and 5 star London hotels were assessed by the GTBS against a rigorous set of criteria, covering a range of areas from energy and water efficiency, to waste management and local community support. It was announced this week that Radisson Edwardian hotels meet the GTBS’s Best Practice standard in several areas and of note the Radisson Edwardian Heathrow, Radisson Edwardian New Providence Wharf & The May Fair hotels were found to excel each achieving a gold accreditation.

“Radisson Edwardian dispels the myth that a top quality hotel cannot also be green.” said Stuart Park, Senior Grading Assessor for GTBS. “As London embraces more sustainable answers to tourism, Radisson Edwardian Hotels stand out from their competitors by offering the same high levels of comfort they always have, but now with a much greener approach.

“Successful resource efficiency initiatives are constantly being introduced to reduce the carbon footprint of each hotel.

Groupwide initiatives include a new fleet of hybrid vehicles to reduce emissions from necessary travel, while low carbon journeys by guests are actively encouraged. Ecofriendly soaps have been sourced for the 2000+ guest bathrooms, new energy efficient lighting is being installed and all of the restaurants showcase the ‘best of British’ produce. The hotel’s enthusiastic ‘Green Teams’ maintain staff momentum and future green projects are already underway, ensuring the group is at the forefront of a greener London.”

Being green is high on the agenda for Radisson Edwardian hotels with the implementation of a radical ten-year programme launched in 2009, which aims to create the greenest hotels in the capital.

“The desire to be a greener hotel company runs throughout the company at every level.” said Paul Mansi, Chief Operating Officer. “We have a Green Team at each hotel tasked with effecting the company’s carbon footprint. Everyone is doing their best to think greener and be greener. We have made huge strides in fuel savings and the management of energy, with new and better ways of working being recorded every day. We think it’s a wonderful achievement that in our first ever grading visit for the GTBS our green works have been deemed best practice and that we have managed to take it one step further with gold accreditations! Next year the aim is Gold across the board!”

Radisson Edwardian’s GTBS accreditations join a recent Platinum Award won at the 2010 Green 500.

Appointment marks the imminent opening of design-led lifestyle hotel

Conservatorium Hotel, a highly-anticipated new property in Amsterdam celebrates the appointment of industry specialist Madelon Boom as General Manager. Anchoring the destination shopping district, P.C. Hooftstraat, the 130-room boutique hotel will breathe a new life to this iconic late 19th century building complemented by exceptional hospitality. With world-class amenities, state-of-the-art facilities including an exquisite location, brasserie, destination bar, contemporary design by world renowned designer Piero Lissoni, and a wellbeing retreat, the luxury lifestyle property will be opening in Spring 2011.

Marking a return to her country, Madelon will direct and oversee all operational and strategic aspects of the new hotel. A graduate from the Hotel School The Hague in the Netherlands with a degree in Sales and Marketing, Madelon brings over 25 years of experience in the hospitality and leisure industry to the Conservatorium Hotel,
Amsterdam.

“I am very honored and delighted to have been chosen for this position,” says Madelon. “I share in the hotel management’s passion for historic buildings, unrivalled design, and warm approach to impeccable hospitality. I look forward to establishing the Conservatorium Hotel Amsterdam as a unique destination hotel and welcoming both the local community, national and international visitors to this grand city one which is steeped in a legacy of music and history.”