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UK News The Bank of England’s new Funding for Lending Scheme which is aims to unblock the flow of credit in Britain’s economy, will take more than a few months to fully bear fruit, BoE Paul Fisher said on Wednesday. Scepticism has already been raised as a number of the UK’s top lenders raise their STV rate on mortgages (further…

Hotel Indigo has recently announced the opening of the Hotel Indigo Veracruz – Boca del Río. The new hotel, located in the Veracruz business district and just steps from the World Trade Center and America’s Plaza, offers guests the intimate service typically associated with boutique lodging along with the peace of mind and consistency expected from a large hotel group.…

Botanique Hotel & Spa, nestled amid the untouched hills and mountains of Campos do Jordão, Brazil, and situated in between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, will open in November 2012. Set on 700 acres, the intimate retreat recognising Brazilian nature and modernism, comprises eleven private villas and six suites. Additionally there will be the first 100% Brazilian spa in…

UK News Due to a bank holiday there was no major data released in the UK, however sterling gained some ground against euro briefly on Friday to trade a high of 1.2671 before dropping to 1.2603 after US markets opened. After some choppy trading over the weekend the pair currently trade just below strong technical support at 1.26. A sustained…

The Oetker Collection, an inspiring selection of masterpiece hotels, is delighted to announcean exclusive partnership with Guerlain – one of the oldest perfume houses in France. The collaboration will be for future joint development and will see Guerlain spas accompany the expansion of new masterpiece hotels worldwide. Palais Namaskar, which opened outside Marrakech in April 2012, will be the first…

UK News Sterling hit a three-month high of 1.5912 against the dollar on Thursday, tracking gains in other perceived riskier currencies. While a small pullback looks like the next step GBPUSD is firmly in an upwards trend.As the Bank of England continues to endorse a wait-and-see approach for the near-term Sterling may remain supported. Although, we continue to look for…

Hilton Aberdeen Treetops has announced it will undergo a £425,000 refurbishment programme, expected to be completed by autumn 2012. The hotel will remain in operation throughout the works.Hilton Aberdeen Treetops located on Springfield Road will receive a complete overhaul of its bedroom corridors. 30 bedrooms including eight of the property’s deluxe plus business bedrooms will be upgraded and refurbished. The…

UK News The daily close over the magical resistance level of 1.5780 was the first sign of a potential move higher for GBPUSD, even with the technical set up firmly in place few expected a 100 pip rally following last night’s FOMC minutes that firmly places U.S QE back on the table in September. An expected higher revision in tomorrow’s…

Hilton Worldwide has announced the official name of its first Waldorf Astoria hotel in Latin America – Waldorf Astoria Panama. Formerly known as The Panamera, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, the new designation brings the distinguished brand name to the forefront, reflecting the hotel’s commitment to the service and hospitality that are synonymous with the name Waldorf Astoria. Waldorf Astoria Panama…

UK News The UK released weak Public Sector Net Borrowing data which suggests the UK economy is slowing down and the euro was given a boost after Spain had a positive bond auction.After reaching a high of 1.2729 during the morning GBPEUR has since fallen to the lowest level in almost two weeks. US markets opened yesterday, and the pair…

Hilton Worldwide has recently celebrated the opening of its first dual branded property in the U.K., the Hilton and Hampton by Hilton at St. George’s Park, The Football Association’s (FA) new National Football Centre in Burton upon Trent. Dubbed the new home of English football, St George’s Park is the FA’s multi-million pound development with world-class training and development facilities…

UK News The Bank of England, which cut its growth forecasts this month, is trying to kick-start lending to bolster the economy after the recession deepened in the second quarter. Still, the housing market may remain under pressure as weak consumer confidence and the euro-area debt turmoil undermine demand.The Council of Mortgage Lenders showed yesterday that UK gross mortgage lending…

Hilton Worldwide has opened the newly-renovated, upscale, full-service DoubleTree by Hilton Goa-Arpora-Baga, the third DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in India on the 15th August 2012. Located in a quiet setting, the 105-room hotel is located centrally just a few miles from the picturesque Baga and Anjuna beaches. Ingo’s Saturday Nite Bazaar and Splash Water Park are both within walking distance…

UK News GBPUSD remained range bound on Friday posting a high of 1.5738 and a low of 1.5675. As the afternoon progress the pair approached the 1.5668 support level as positive US data helped the dollar. The pound has strengthened over the weekend to open back over 1.57, with no significant data out today the pair is likely to be…

Westin Hotels & Resorts announces that it is applying its industry leading, design-driven approach to the new public space design, allowing travellers to stay balanced, refreshed and connected on the road. Designed with guests’ well-being in mind, the new lobby concept serves as a modern-day oasis for today’s demanding travellers by incorporating natural design elements, flexible and functional zoning and…

Louvre Hotels Group, affiliate of Groupe du Louvre, one of the largest hotel chains in the world, announced the opening of the first ‘Royal Tulip’ in South Asia, Royal Tulip Luxury Hotel, Navi Mumbai, in partnership with city-based Concrete Builders. The opening of this hotel introduces the Royal Tulip Luxury Hotels brand of Louvre Hotels Group to the one of…

With the opening of the Fleming’s Deluxe Hotel Frankfurt Main-Riverside on August 20th, Worldhotels and Fleming’s Hotels & Restaurants add a new strategic dimension to their partnership. The group’s 10th Fleming’s Hotel, owned and operated by HMG Hotel Management & Servicegesellschaft mbH & Co KG, will serve as a role model for co-branded hotels within the Worldhotels portfolio of 500…

UK News The pound continued to hold its position against the euro yesterday morning, opening at 1.2758, before jumping sharply to 1.2798 after UK retail figures came out 0.2% better than expected at 2.8% and Eurozone CPI figures were released without surprise. However the pair fell off throughout the afternoon to end up at the support level 1.2757With the major…

Commenting on the company voluntary arrangement (CVA) proposal in today’s announcement by Travelodge, Richard Fleming, UK Head of Restructuring at KPMG and proposed ‘supervisor’ of the CVA, said: “The impact of the economic downturn on Travelodge’s business has been compounded by a large debt burden and expensive lease arrangements. Today’s CVA proposal is one facet of a wider Travelodge restructuring…

Marriott International, Inc. celebrates continued growth in the south of France with the opening of its first AC Hotel by Marriott in the country, the first new AC Hotel by Marriott to open since the launch of the joint venture and co-brand last year. The former Hotel Ambassadeur, located in the heart of Juan-les-Pins, has been re-branded an AC Hotel…

Sounds like a disease doesn’t it? It’s not a disease, just a county on the Columbia River gorge. The name derives from a Chinook Indian word meaning ‘swift waters’, and the Skamania Lodge, our destination on Monday, gave super views across the river (and will be the subject of a future Review).Despite my years in hotel design, I have never…

UK News The pound enjoyed a rally against the euro yesterday afternoon helped by UK jobless claims weakening and the Bank of England minutes showing a unanimous vote to maintain its current policy in August. Between 07:00 and 13:00 GBP moved from 1.2714 to hit a two week high of 1.2780.The single currency struggled for a number of reasons, chief…

UK News Sterling rose to a two-week high against the dollar yesterday after data showed annual British inflation rose unexpectedly. The pair hit the high of 1.5728 from a session low of 1.5671. Rising inflation may give the Bank of England less scope to ease monetary policy if prices remain sticky in the coming months.The pound struggled against the euro…

Marriott International, Inc recently celebrated the opening of its ninth hotel in Turkey, the 212-room Renaissance Istanbul Bosphorus Hotel operating under a franchise agreement with Polat Holding A.S.Offering stunning views of Istanbul’s celebrated Bosphorus River, the magnificent 20-story Renaissance Istanbul Bosphorus Hotel is located on the European side of Istanbul, in Besiktas, midway between the areas of Taksim and Levent.…

UK Yesterday the pound saw a high of 1.2773 against the euro, before dropping to a low of 1.2706 on expectations that data due this week will bolster the case for more quantitative easing. GBPUSD only managed to gain 0.1% on the day to close at 1.5693 after reaching a high of $1.5717, its strongest since late July. In a…

Marriott International has signed an agreement with Weligama Hotel Properties Ltd., a fully owned subsidiary of East West Properties PLC, to open a hotel in Sri Lanka, the Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa in 2014 – this will be Marriott’s first property on the Indian Ocean Island.The 200-room, 11-storey Marriott Weligama Resort and Spa will be operated under Marriott’s…

Focus Hotels is delighted to announce the opening of the DoubleTree by Hilton London Heathrow Airport, formerly known as the Ramada Hotel Heathrow, following the successful conclusion of a franchise license agreement with the subsidiary of Hilton Worldwide. Focus Hotels rescued the hotel, along with sister property the Ramada Hotel Bristol, from administration in October 2011 – saving a total…

On behalf of the shareholders of Bouverie No 1 Limited, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels would like to congratulate KSL Capital Partners and its wholly owned subsidiary in successfully acquiring the world famous The Belfry resort located in the West Midlands near Birmingham, United Kingdom. George Nicholas, executive vice president, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, said: “The Belfry attracted wide international interest…

The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., reopens the doors to the historic Hotel Maria Cristina, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Sebastian, following an extensive $25 million restoration. The renovation of Hotel Maria Cristina, which was completed in time for its 100th anniversary this month, is part of a larger strategy to invest…

The International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC) is undertaking an examination of the methods used for valuing hotels and other leisure properties, following concern about the different practices being used around the world. In recent years the hotel sector has evolved considerably, particularly in the way ownerships are held and financed, and the need for consistent and reliable valuation has become…

UK Yesterday’s mix of economic data and potential policy intervention remain inconclusive and as suggested in the previous report markets remain range bound. The UK has posted its largest overall trade deficit since records began 15 years ago, indicating weak demand for British goods, both in Europe and beyond, exports fell 4.9%, while imports fell 0.5%. GBPEUR remains locked in…

UK As expected yesterday saw Mervyn King deliver a gloomy quarterly inflation report cutting the growth and inflation outlook as expected. The bank revealed that it is now expecting zero growth this year after forecasting a 0.7% rise in GDP only three months ago. It also cut its 2013 forecast to 1.7% growth revised from 2.1%. Despite the gloomy report…

In the earthly paradise of the Alhambra, quiet cloisters contain gardens of reflecting pools. Planted with aromatics, these are spaces that uplift the soul and create a cool oasis in the heat of the Spanish plains…Here in the northern hemisphere we crave the all too rare moments of warmth on our faces. In warmer climes we seek shade and the…

Continuing to grow worldwide, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is eagerly anticipating the opening of a new luxury hotel: Fairmont Jaipur in India. The hotel is set to open its doors on August 9, 2012, marking Fairmont’s entry into India. The hotel is ideally situated within India’s “Golden Triangle”, a geographic region that is home to dazzling palaces, timeless forts and…

UK GBP opened Tuesday’s trading over the 1.56 mark against the US dollar and climbed throughout the day on the background of better than expected, but still poor, manufacturing figures from the UK. GBPUSD managed to climb to a high of 1.5684 before settling at1.5645 when markets closed.GBP rallied back from a lacklustre previous day and advanced to maintain the…

Hilton Worldwide has signed an agreement with long-standing business partner, Egyptian Touristic Resorts LLC, to introduce two new premium Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties to Cairo and Alexandria.The dual signing for the 390-room Hilton Giza Pyramids, located in an exclusive residential and commercial district South of Cairo, and the 195-room Hilton Alexandria King’s Ranch Resort, situated 40 kilometres West of…

UK Sterling declined across the board as July Halifax House Prices showed a decline to -0.6% compared to 1.0% in June, slightly worse than the -0.5% consensus.The pound fell around 0.4% against the euro to a 1 month low of 1.2554 after the data, but made a slight recovery and finished trading around 1.2582. Against the US dollar it was…

UK On Friday morning UK Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) which surveys purchasing managers in the services industry came out at 51.0 against a forecast of 51.6.During Friday’s session, GBPEUR started the day at the high of 1.2719 with the euro continuing to strengthen before closing the day at 1.2623. The weekend saw the pair move below 1.26 and hit a…

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has recently announced the opening of its first dual-branded ski resort complex in Changbaishan, China. Owned by Dalian Wanda Group, Sheraton Changbaishan Resort and The Westin Changbaishan Resort are adjacent to the slopes of the Changbai Mountains, one of China’s leading ski areas and famed resort destinations. The highly anticipated opening marks Starwood’s first…

Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou held its official opening ceremony on the 23rd July 2012, celebrating the dawn of a new era of luxury hospitality in China’s third largest metropolitan area. Rising 103 stories above the Pearl River, the new Guangzhou International Finance Centre (GZIFC) building’s top 30 floors are now home to Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou.“We are particularly pleased to…

Westin Hotels & Resorts has announced plans to continue the global expansion of its signature spa brand as it continues to enhance its footprint in the world’s fastest growing markets. Propelled by a growing demand for luxury services, Westin will increase its robust portfolio of Heavenly Spas with 13 openings by 2014, with all but two located outside the United…

UK Yesterday the Bank of England left its policy rate and bond-buying target unchanged, as members of the committee look for signs that their continuing stimulus efforts and push to boost bank lending can reignite growth in the UK’s stalling economy. UK expectations for inflation next year were unchanged in July, with the average expectation of the annual rate of…

UK Sterling strength continues to be dictated by investor appetite or aversion to risk. Against the euro the pound traded between 1.2751 and 1.2666 yesterday, ending the European session at 1.2675 and more than 1.5% down on mid-July’s highs. Volatility suggests that investors are reluctant to make long term moves, focussing rather on the short term.Yesterday morning saw the release…

Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts and Riviera Tower Limited Liability Company have signed a management contract for a new deluxe hotel in Russia. The Kazan property will help the international hotel group with Swiss roots reinforce its footing in the Eastern European market and is scheduled to open in 2016. The new outstanding hotel will follow the lead of Swissôtel Krasnye…

UK Sterling declined versus all except one of its 16 major counterparts as an industry report showed UK consumer confidence stalled this month as the recession deepened. The pound fell for the first time in four days against the euro after Moody’s Investors Service lowered its forecast for UK economic growth. GBPEUR fell a cent from the Monday night high…

UK GBPUSD had a quiet day on Monday, trading sideways for most of the data light day, with the pair opening at a high of 1.5730 to end up at 1.5711 by the close of play. GBPEUR followed Monday morning’s return from 1.2698 after Friday’s volatile trading with GBP making a steady gain against the single currency to trade to…

With six terraces offering a 360 degree view of Paris and 160 square metres (1,630 square feet) of pure luxury, this new Penthouse confirms the landmark Hotel’s intention not to rest on its laurels but on the contrary, to pursue its search for excellence by constantly reinventing itself. Designed as a real Parisian pied-à-terre, The Penthouse offers a romantic hideaway…

UK GBPUSD hit a high of 1.5768 during Friday’s session, with risk appetite returning to the market. The currency pair continue to trade above 1.57 this morning but have fallen from the highs echoing the EURUSD trading pattern this morning. Cable looks set to test resistance at 1.5800, a failure to break this level could spark a decline back to…

Striking and seductive, the Lewinnick Lodge hovers on the edge of Pentire Headland, neighboured by little more than the invigorating sea air and captivating Atlantic views. Approached down a winding lane, guests feel as if they’re stumbling upon an undiscovered hideaway amongst the craggy cliffs. A world away from Newquay, yet just a short stroll to Fistral Beach, as locations…

The Westin Xian is pleased to introduce Heavenly Spa by Westin™, an oasis of wellness and luxury in historic Xian. Located at the new Westin Xian in the heart of historic Xian, Heavenly Spa by Westin™ offers a modern holistic approach to wellbeing with a selection of renewing spa treatments, products and healthy cuisine that are unique to the Xian…

The scale and diversity of Britain’s furniture industry was put on show for hundreds of MPs, peers and civil servants during a four day exhibition staged by The British Furniture Confederation (BFC) at the House of Commons.As the voice of the British furniture and bed industry, the BFC showcased the excellence and variety of furniture manufactured in the UK, highlighting…

The newly refurbished Hilton Barcelona, which first opened its doors 20 years ago during the Barcelona Olympic Games has officially re-opened. The refurbishment sees 289 stunning rooms, 13 suites, Mosaic restaurant, The Vibe Bar and a spectacular outdoor terrace as part of its re-design that captures the vibe of Barcelona. The hotel is among the first Hilton Hotels & Resorts…

Webb Gray has that winning feeling after completing a major hotel project in London’s East End, just in time to welcome visitors to the 2012 games. The Birmingham-based architectural practice was awarded the £5 million contract by Accor Group to develop a 169-bedroom ibis budget hotel on Whitechapel Road, London. A former office tower block was transformed into the budget…

UK Sterling recovered yesterday against all except two of its 16 most traded counterparts as risk appetite increased, gaining over 1.5% against a weakening US dollar yesterday after comments by ECB president Mario Draghi surprised markets and boosted risk appetite with investors. The pound moved from the morning low of 1.5470 to reach the high of 1.5723.Against the euro the…

Alila Bangalore, the 101-room business lifestyle hotel that opened this summer in India’s ‘garden city’, has now unveiled its brand new spa. The latest Spa Alila opening is perfect for business travellers to relax and unwind in after a day’s work, acting as a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. The spa at Alila Bangalore is an…

UK GDP figures released yesterday morning sparked a new round of questions over the British economy. The quarterly figures showed a -0.7% drop against a consensus -0.2%, concluding a third consecutive quarter of economic contraction and the countries longest double dip recession in 50 years.Headlines so far have cited possibly risks to our AAA rating, a fresh round of stimulus,…

Hilton Worldwide and Rim Hospitality has announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown, the latest Los Angeles-area property in the Hilton Worldwide portfolio. With the majority of its multimillion-dollar renovation near completion, the former Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens is now the DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown as it debuts its refreshed Japanese-inspired rooftop garden, the…

Hilton Hotels & Resorts celebrates the official opening of its new landmark hotel, Hilton London Wembley, just days before the start of one of the biggest sporting events in U.K. history. With plans to transform the area into one of the most thriving parts of the capital, for sport, entertainment and architectural excellence, the opening marks a major milestone in…

There is no need to spoil the look of a formal lounge with a large flat screen television, just hide it away. The bespoke cabinets shown here have been designed, created and installed to the exact requirements of a private client in Buckinghamshire. The lounge cabinet houses the client’s collection of artworks and rare books with the TV hidden behind…

UK Sterling lost ground against euro yesterday having breached the 1.2860 psychological level over the weekend – despite fresh revelations regarding regional pressures on the Spanish economy. The session saw an early high of 1.2878 and a low of 1.2796.GBPUSD continued to fall in line with movement from Friday’s session, opening at the high of 1.5608 but receding to a…

UK After last week’s much improved employment situation in the UK and also the inflation figure falling to 2.4%, this combination of surprising improvements provides a much brighter overall economic situation. Given the recent turn of events perhaps another surprise could come in the Q2 GDP release on Wednesday which is expected to show the UK is still in recession.Public…

Accor Greater China has announced that the group has signed 31 new contracts since the start of 2012. The contracts include 1 Sofitel, 9 Pullman, 5 Mei Jue (Grand Mercure), 1 Novotel as well as 15 ibis projects, thus adding 6,572 new rooms. In all, Accor’s development pipeline in China exceeds 90 new hotels committed, and further manifests Accor’s sound…

Great Hotels of the World has expanded its portfolio with the addition of five properties from the Pride Hotels. Pride Hotel Ahmedabad, Pride Hotel Bangalore, Pride Hotel Kolkata, Pride Hotel Chennai and Pride Hotel Pune have all joined Great Hotels of the World’s corporate collection. Since June 2011, Great Hotels of the World has increased its hotel signups in Asia…

Centara Hotels & Resorts has signed a management contract for an existing resort hotel on Koh Samui that will operate under the “Centra” value brand with effect from 1 July 2012.The contract was signed with owner PDTS Company Limited on 5 June 2012.To be named Centra Coconut Beach Resort Samui, the property is located on Thong Tanote Beach and was…

Hotel Indigo has recently announced the opening of its second location in Atlanta in one of Georgia’s largest historic districts and just minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.The hotel, located at 1776 Harvard Ave. in historic College Park, offers guests a unique hotel experience with a comfortable design that blends well with the surrounding neighbourhood. As unique as many of the…

UK Sterling gained against the currencies of the U.S., Europe and Switzerland, reaching new highs not seen since October 2008 against the Euro and a 17 month high against the Swiss Franc.Sterling reached a high of 1.2834 despite having followed the EUR upside on EFSF rumours, the EU’s official rejection of those talks didn’t trigger a retracement unlike in the…

The British made Aquaduct drain covers combine art and functionality, adding a designer finish to any bathroom or wetroom. The mirror finish stainless steel drain covers are available from Marmox in a range of Style, Contemporary and Modern, totalling 12 standard designs. In addition Marmox is offering a bespoke design service allowing leisure clubs or hotels to build their branding…

UK Only two of the nine members of the Bank of England’s policy panel voted against additional monetary stimulus at July’s meeting, arguing that the raft of measures put in place by the UK’s lender of last resort were sufficient to support the economy. The pound weakened against the euro and the dollar after Bank of England policy makers said…

Plettenberg is not like any other resort town I’ve been to. It perches on top of the rocks above beaches and a salt water lagoon, giving stupendous views along the coast. It has its season when the population booms, but off season it is largely made up of the empty properties that are the second homes of global travellers as…