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Nestled in the grounds of the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, the Westin Abu Dhabi Hotel is a luxury destination resort and focal point of a community that has been built in and around the sprawling fairways and greens of this championship course. Owned by Abu Dhabi-based development company, Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the interiors were designed by the…

UK Sterling rallied against the euro yesterday hitting a new high of 1.2544 very close to the two year high set a few weeks ago of 1.2575. Sterling looks set to continue to be supported against the euro as investors look for an alternative to the European single currency.Against the US dollar sterling lost ground, falling to a 4-month low…

Sofitel is pleased to announce the opening of Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, the second Sofitel in Bangkok, in Thailand. This new flagship unveils many of Sofitel’s new luxury French concepts for the first time in South East Asia.With the opening of this hotel, Sofitel is diversifying its offer in this city with a very French signature reflecting the French tradition of…

UK The pound was within a penny of a three-and-a-half-year high against the euro after Spain said it may need to sell bonds for a banking rescue, underpinning demand for alternatives to the 17-nation shared currency. Sterling has appreciated 4.3% this year against the Euro.The UK Distributive Trades Survey for May came in at 21%, well above the -7% expected.…

Clean lines and crisp angles converge to form Linea; bathroom furniture of minimalist design that screams opulent hotel style. Full depth drawers feature concealed ergonomic handles and extra height and generous proportions to offer versatile and organised storage options with numerous layout concepts. Tower units add a further element of luxury and feature six practical display shelves to house all…

UK GBPEUR touched a high of 1.2524 yesterday after reaching the low of 1.2439, this morning markets have opened at just under 1.25 and strong German CPI data this afternoon could support the euro further today.GBPUSD closed trading close to where it had opened yesterday, achieving a high of 1.5716 and low of 1.5672 – close to a two-month low…

Iain Hardman is the Deputy Managing Director of multi award-winning East Lodge Country House Hotel in Rowsley, in the heart of Derbyshire’s Peak District. He outlines some of the top trends for 2012. 2012 is set to be a critical year for hotel owners throughout the UK. The twin celebrations of the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympics on the horizon,…

Hotel Junior Suites take on a different meaning in NH Hotels with the launch of new concept rooms designed especially for kids. Launching at the Hesperia Lanzarote and tailored especially for younger guests, this new breed of Junior Suites have been created to offer a safe and magical haven filled with fun.Following interviews with families and children staying at the…

The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., has recently announced the opening of its 80th hotel with the debut of Keraton at The Plaza, a Luxury Collection Hotel, the brand’s first hotel in Jakarta. Located in the heart of Indonesia’s capital and situated at Jalan Thamrin, one of the most prestigious addresses in…

The May Fair Hotel, London, a luxury retreat for the world’s most famous and distinguished faces, providing them with the superlative in surprising experiences, has now unveiled the ultimate treat for the world’s most pampered derrieres; the UK’s most innovative hotel lavatory. Worth approximately £10,000, the TOTO Neorest Washlet is the most advanced lavatory around. Its futuristic design features a…

UK After it emerged yesterday the UK economy shrank more in the first quarter than was initially estimated sterling dropped to 1.2458 against the euro. The revised figure showed an increased contraction of -0.2% to -0.3% but the pound bounced back well later in the session and GBPEUR rose to a high of 1.2498. Overnight the pair hit 1.2503 but…

The growth of the cruise industry has been remarkable over the last ten years. Their floating hotels vary in size and luxury, but the number of passengers continues to grow and the market changes with ships increasingly catering to families. It is expected that in 2012 over 20 million people will take cruise holidays. In 2011 UK grew its cruise…

UK The pound fell sharply against the US dollar yesterday as data showed UK inflation has relaxed. GBPUSD opened at 1.5843 and fell to a session low of 1.5771. The falls have continued overnight and the pair dropped to 1.5696 this morning.UK Public Sector Net Borrowing came in significantly below expectations. Public corporations and local and central government posted -£18.5bn.…

Marriott International, Inc. has recently announced it has reached the milestone figure of 250 open and signed hotels in Asia, with the 250th hotel to be located in Bo’ao in China. This represents 129 open hotels plus our development pipeline of 121 projects – totalling more than 75,000 rooms in 15 countries.While Asia continues to deliver robust growth, China remains…

In conjunction with the midlands region of SBID (the society of British interior design) Factory tour to see upholstery being manufactured from the frame to the finished article. Opportunity to view the latest designs and upholstery fabrics from major brands in the newly refurbished pf collections 5000 sq ft showroom facility.Venue: P F Collections Ltd Oakleaf House Acton Road Long…

UK Sterling finished the day on a 2½ week low of 1.2356 against the euro as improved sentiment played in the build-up to EU leaders meeting on Wednesday. It had hit a day high of 1.2404 following the opening of American markets.PM David Cameron said on Monday not enough had been done to end the Eurozone debt crisis but reassured…

Hilton Worldwide and Schiphol Real Estate, Schiphol Group’s real estate subsidiary, have today signed an agreement to introduce a new landmark 433 guest room Hilton Hotels & Resorts hotel to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, to be designed by prominent Dutch architects, Mecanoo. The new hotel will replace the current Hilton property and is expected to open in 2015, with construction scheduled…

UK On Friday, sterling gained 0.25% versus the euro in the mid-morning session rising to 1.2475 but closed the day down at 1.2422. Sterling has traded as low as 1.2360 this morning.After a week of steady falls against the US dollar, on Friday the pound began to recover and rose to a high of 1.5836 around lunchtime. GBPUSD remained fairly…

Spa to open at the Four Seasons Hotel Milano Loyal guests and local devotees of Milan’s historic Four Seasons Hotel Milano will soon have to wait no longer, as the hotel opens its much-anticipated spa this June.Incorporating a spa into a 15th century former convent clearly cannot be rushed or taken lightly. Meticulous planning has therefore ensured that the new…

Autograph Collection has announced that Turnberry Isle Miami, a landmark luxury resort in South Florida, has joined the brand’s exclusively curated portfolio of independently owned and operated hotels. Located in Aventura, Turnberry Isle Miami is the third South Florida hotel to join the collection and the 32nd property added to the brand’s expanding roster. Built in 1971, the award-winning Mediterranean-style…

The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers states that “The Furniture Makers Company has introduced the Design Guild Mark to reward excellence in the design of furniture in volume production.By the award of this Guild Mark for designs which meet the Company’s criteria, the designers will receive due recognition and the industry will be made more aware of the importance of…

UK GBPUSD opened the week’s trading at 1.6071, with the Greek situation creating a flight to quality, sterling performed well against a strong USD reaching a high of 1.6123 before eventually closing at 1.6107. The GBPUSD could track higher tomorrow if the Bank of England highlight an improved outlook for the U.K in the inflation report.GBPEUR again hit new three…

Centrally located on London’s vibrant South Bank, the luxury 5 star London Marriott Hotel, County Hall has breathtaking views of many of London’s famous sights, including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Palace of Westminster. The view is the envy of many London hotels and now that Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar has opened (April 2012), the hotel can boast…

UK On Friday, UK PPI Input Month on month came out worst then expected at -1.5% against a forecast of -0.9% with output PPI rising 0.7% against 0.4% GBPUSD started Friday’s session trading at 1.6123 before seeing a sharp drop mid-afternoon to the low of the day at 1.6066. After a brief spell back over 1.61 in afternoon trading the…

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has recently announced the debut of The St. Regis Doha as the St. Regis brand continues its dynamic global growth and nearly triples its portfolio in just five years. Owned by Resorts Development Company and developed by Alfardan Group, The St. Regis Doha is Qatar’s first St. Regis hotel and ideally located within Doha’s…

With more than 350 hotels all across the world, the Spanish Meliá Hotels International chain has now signed a lease agreement on a fifth hotel in Dusseldorf, which will open its doors in the middle of next year. The new four-star superior hotel, which will be operated by the Innside by Meliá design brand, will be located inside the eye-catching…

eforea: spa at Hilton continues its rapid global expansion with the opening of its first location in the Middle East. Located at Hilton Doha in Qatar, the 600-square-meter eforea: spa at Hilton offers an exclusive treatment menu, innovative design features and carefully selected product partners that appeal to today’s savvy global travellers.The new, visually stunning 309-room Hilton Doha, the first…

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has recently announced it will open its first dual-branded ski resort complex in Changbaishan, China later this year. The Westin Changbaishan and Sheraton Changbaishan Resort will open in August 2012, adjacent to the slopes of Changbai Mountains, one of Chinas leading ski areas. The highly anticipated resort complex will lengthen Starwoods lead as the…

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

UK David Cameron was quoted as saying the Liberal Democrats are “holding back” Conservative ambitions in areas including tax policy and reforming human rights law. This revelation came just hours before the governing coalition were due to set out their legislative program for the year yesterday.With no major UK data being released yesterday, traders focus was aimed towards the euro…

Marriott International has announced the opening of the Renaissance Barcelona Hotel, located just steps away from the Paseo de Gracia, the premier shopping and architectural district of Barcelona.In celebration of the grand opening, the Renaissance Barcelona Hotel last night hosted an exclusive event featuring a special musical performance by renowned Spanish artist, Rebeka. The performance was part of Renaissance Hotel’s…

This new establishment is only a 3-hour flight away from the main European capitals and is the ideal place for a relaxing and revitalising break. Sofitel Agadir Thalassa is the brand’s second hotel in the bay of Agadir alongside the Sofitel Agadir Royal Bay Resort.The hotel designed by the Moroccan architect Jamal Lamiri Alaoui and the French interior designer Didier…

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

UK Governor King said yesterday the UK economy is not yet back to health and needs the support of low interest rates. Bank of England officials are preparing for a decision next week on whether to extend their QE program to lift the economy from its first double-dip recession since 1975.On the political front Labour party made sweeping gains in…

Like a jewel in a crown, the new luxury boutique hotel Casa San Agustín will open in Cartagena de Indias in Summer 2012 after a complete renovation. Simply elegant and uniquely authentic, the property features 22 rooms and 9 suites and is destined to set a new standard of luxury in Colombia. The hotel creates an architecturally unique atmosphere by…

An award-winning hotel in Chester has recently completed a £400,000 refurbishment on a conceptual bar and restaurant which aims to emulate the pomp and pageantry of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations.The new Jubilee Room and Bar at the Best Western Premier Queen Hotel is an innovative marketing initiative created by the Feathers Hotel Group’s Managing Director, Stuart Hunter, and Preston-based designer…

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

Great Hotels of the World are pleased to announce the opening of a brand new hotel, Thon Hotel EU, which will officially open on 26 April 2012, following a 24-month development.Thon Hotel EU is a member of Great Hotels of the World’s Premium Collection. This innovative hotel is ideally situated in the heart of the city’s European district and within…

With recent hotel openings in Ningbo, Sanya, Yangzhou and Xian, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has recently announced it has surpassed the opening of its 100th operating hotel in China with plans to open 15 additional hotels by the end of this year. With eight hotels already opened in the first quarter of 2012, Starwood will open a total…

Marriott International has announced the opening of the 342-room Renaissance Huizhou Hotel in China. The hotel opened under a long-term management agreement with Guangzhou R&F Properties Development Co., Ltd. an existing long-term partner. The Renaissance Huizhou offers 247 deluxe rooms, 76 club rooms, 18 club suites and one Presidential suite. Each stylish guestroom offers a minimum of 47 square meters…

UK GBPUSD began Friday’s session at the low of 1.6179 and moved to an 8-month high at 1.6278 in late trading which is a level not seen since 31st August 2011, markets have seen little change over the weekend and opened this morning at 1.6284. GBPUSD has now rallied from a low 1.5818 to a high of 1.6300 in only…

A Cumbria hotel which allows couples to live out their romantic fantasies is trying to cope with a booking frenzy after coming under the TV spotlights last week. Aphrodite’s hotel near Windermere – owned by husband-and-wife team Will and Lyn Howarth – was seen by millions of viewers of the popular Channel Four series “Four in a Bed”.After the screening…

Marriott International has announced the opening of the 340-room Renaissance Guiyang Hotel in China. The hotel is located in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, an emerging city for business and leisure activities in southwest China, and represents the 15th Renaissance property to open in the country.Renaissance Guiyang Hotel offers six dining and entertainment options that offer guests a variety of choices including…

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

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

UK Yesterday Q1 GDP figures were released for the UK and showed that the economy contracted for the second month in row, meaning the UK has technically re-entered recession as many feared last year. The published figure of -0.2% came as a surprise considering the market was expecting growth of 0.1%The poor GDP data only put a temporary end to…

UK The UK has technically entered back into a recession after Preliminary GDP came in at -0.2% for Q1, continuing its decline from the fourth quarter where the economy shrank -0.3%. As a direct result GBPEUR dropped from 1.2217 to 1.2180, GBPUSD also fell from 1.6140 to 1.6089.UK public sector borrowing was higher than expected in March, but still met…

UK In early trading yesterday USD held firm against GBP’s rise above 1.61; however, following talks by MP member Fisher, GBPUSD moved back to a high of 1.6134 and has since this morning traded up to the resistance at 1.6150. The upside target to close above is still 1.6165. GBPEUR began the day at 1.2214 before sterling gained to 1.2271…

Hotel Indigo is pleased to announce the grand opening of the Hotel Indigo San Diego Del Mar. Following a multimillion-dollar renovation and rebranding, the 94-room hotel in downtown Del Mar offers guests sophisticated lodging with modern furnishings and a contemporary style, exuding the charm of the Del Mar community.Located at 710 Camino Del Mar, the property boasts a full-service day-spa,…

Camps Bay has golden sand and palm trees, a blue ocean and sun. The front is lined with busy cafés and I am told (by my mid-20’s nephews) quite a night life when I’m asleep. I’m a bit of an antique now, so driving along the front, as I do many days whilst I am in Cape Town, it seems…

Apartment 58 has now opened its doors offering a new global concept and accessible work/socialising space for the creative industry. Apartment 58 aims to offer a high-tech home from home where members can access and use the apartment for both work and play. The Soho apartment can be found at 58 Poland St with an Apartment 58 in Notting Hill…

The ownership group, Doloma Investments of North Brunswick, NJ has recently announced the opening of the brand new Staybridge Suites located on 2195, US Highway 1 South, North Brunswick NJ. The hotel is operated by Global Vision Hotels of Boston, MA. The Staybridge Suites North Brunswick NJ will extend the best service and value in the area.The Staybridge suites, North…

UK GBPEUR reached a 19-month high of 1.2250 and traded above the 1.22 level throughout the session on speculation the Bank of England will pause its stimulus program next month. The mid-range resistance at 1.2235 was broken yesterday, so a test of the next level at 1.2285 could come during today\’s session. GBPUSD followed suit and hit a 5-month high…

A new chapter begins at the Sofitel Plaza Hanoi on West Lake as the five-star hotel has officially opened the doors on its refreshed rooms and spaces in a glamorous re-launch party on April 12. The culmination of three stages of renovations, the unveiling marks the hotel’s most significant overhaul since its grand opening in 2001. A who’s who of…

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

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

UK Sterling traded within a tight range against the euro on Tuesday, posting a high of 1.2148 against a low of 1.2102 as the pair failed to break the resistance and support levels of 1.2149 on the upside and 1.21 on the downside. GBPUSD traded within a 1 cent trading range on Tuesday, rallying from the lows of 1.5861 to…

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is pleased to announce the opening of The Westin Xian, marking the entry of the Westin brand into the Shaanxi province of China and one of the four major ancient civilizations in the world, along with Athens, Cairo and Rome. A haven for rest and relaxation, The Westin Xian is located just steps away…

GBPEUR yesterday traded in a narrow range opening the day at 1.2159, reaching a high of 1.2176 before closing the day at the low 1.2135. This closing rate is significant as the level needed for further upside trends is a close above 1.2150. Sterling advanced for a second day versus the Euro after an industry report showed asking prices for…

Lonrho and Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou’s easyGroup are delighted to announce the opening of their first hotel in Johannesburg for later this year. Branded as part of Sir Stelios’s “easyHotel” chain, the 120 room budget hotel will be created from the conversion of three floors of the classically designed landmark building, formerly Stuttafords department store. Work will start next month and…

AYANA Resort and Spa Bali has completed a renovation of over 200 hotel rooms and suites, resulting in a major upgrade to guest comfort, amenities and overall experience with stylish new interiors and brand new furniture and decor.Recently announced Asia’s Best Resort as voted by Conde Nast Traveler readers and Asia-Pacific’s Best Spa Resort by DestinAsian readers, there are no…

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

Interior design firm Bilkey Llinas Design (BLD) have completed the interior design and fit-out of the Westin Nanjing, China. This property has become the premier address in the city and is the latest in an increasing 30-year portfolio for this award winning design team in China.The designers worked extremely closely with the operator Starwood who wanted a clean, fresh palette…

Marriott International has announced that the new Courtyard Mexico City Airport, connected to Benito Juarez International Airport is officially open for business as of the 2nd April. The new sleek and modern 288-room hotel is Mexico City’s first Courtyard by Marriott property and features the Refreshing Business lobby, providing travellers with free Wi-Fi and a great place to work or…

Is the funding of universities to deliver design, innovation and prototyping to industry a good investment of public money? British Design Innovation (BDI) unequivocally supports the government’s promotion of innovation and manufacturing. We believe it is an effective means of driving economic growth – after all, it’s what we ourselves were set up to do. And therein lies the rub.Over…

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) today announced it is creating nearly 3,000¹ new jobs across its 275 UK hotels over the next three years, including over 1,100² new jobs this year. IHG also announced the launch of its newest hospitality training Academy in London. The announcement was welcomed by the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who attended the launch of the…

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced that its global powerhouse Sheraton Hotels will be a key force in the company’s growth in 2012 with the opening of 20 new hotels. Sheraton will also widen Starwood’s lead as the largest global hotel operator in China, with 12 new Sheraton hotels slated to open across this fast-growing market by year’s…

DoubleTree by Hilton has announced the opening of the DoubleTree by Hilton, Shanghai-Pudong – the tenth hotel to open in China as part of the fast-growing, upscale hotel brand within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of hotels. The 850-room, two-tower, iconic hotel complex soars majestically 47 storeys over the Shanghai’s Pudong New Area and offers convenient access to Shanghai New International…

Azura at Quilalea, which opened in November 2011, underwent a six month renovation project redeveloping the entire infrastructure, expanding facilities and upgrading the nine luxurious villas in keeping with its pristine environment in the very southern part of the Quirimbas Archipelago. The new lodge is a true eco boutique retreat. The accommodation has been revamped in Azura’s trademark subtle yet…

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has recently announced its Westin brand is on track to open its 200th hotel in the next 12 months, propelled by strong growth across Asia Pacific. Westin will open 11 new hotels this year, all but three outside the United States. More than half will open in China, the brand’s strongest growth market. Westin…

The highly respected Leonardo Hotels chain has signed a management contract with the exclusive 5-star Alden Luxury Suite Hotel. The hotel, which is a listed building, is seen by Leonardo Hotels as a standalone property and will be run as such. The 5-star Alden Luxury Suite Hotel was built in 1895 and fully renovated in 2004. A particular feature of…