Hotel Designs

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Auteles Kalionchiz S.A. de C.V announced the opening of the Holiday Inn® Monclova hotel. This is the first Holiday Inn hotel in Coahuila and is the fifth IHG®-branded hotel for the state. Other IHG®-branded hotels in Coahuila include a Crowne Plaza® hotel and three Holiday Inn Express® hotels. The scale and diversity of the IHG family of brands means that our hotels can meet our guests’ needs whatever the occasion. Auteles Kalionchiz S.A. de C.V. has invested $10 million in the Holiday Inn Monclova hotel.

All 128 rooms have views to the pool, gardens or the city. Additionally, the Presidential Suite has a living room, hot tub and a meeting room for eight people. Other amenities in the hotel include a fully equipped fitness center, business center, pool, laundry and dry cleaning services as well as two meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 500 people. Guests can also enjoy dining on-site – the Kalionchiz Restaurant featuring Mexican and international cuisine and the Bar Emporio – both feature a contemporary style and décor.

The hotel owned and managed by Inmobiliaria Auteles Kalionchiz SA de CV., is franchised by an affiliate of IHG.

August Highlights
• UAE hotels reverse the summer slump with strong performance during August
• Cairo hotels continue to suffer as civil unrest pushes occupancy to the lowest level since 2011

Centara Grand Phratamnak Pattaya, set in the exclusive residential district of Phratamnak Hill, the “Beverly Hills” of Pattaya, soft-opened on 15 October and welcomed its first guests, Admiral Taweewuth Pongsapipatt, Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Navy and his wife, Captain Doctor Woranart Pongsapipatt.The couple were welcomed by the resort’s General Manager Dominique Ronge and members of his management team.

“We are delighted to announce that the hotel is now in its soft opening phase, and to be welcoming our first guests,” said Mr Ronge.

The resort is designed to the most luxurious and elegant standards and is situated just a few steps away from the beach at Phratamnak Hill, Pattaya’s most exclusive residential district.

The dramatic interior design features two large aquariums in the lobby that are stocked with exotic marine species, a lighting system that extends the marine concept throughout the ground floor, jellyfish chandeliers, and luxury furniture from Italian designer Fendi.

The famous group of artists “Der blaue Reiter” has been the eponym for this Designhotel which opened its doors in Karlsruhe in 2001. Throughout the hotel the guests come across the artworks of the different artists and no two paintings are the same.In addition to the main building, the new building CUBE was inaugurated in 2011 with 81 designer rooms as well as 750sqm meeting and event space. According to the concept of the main building, every single room follows a different design-concept. Baulmann Leuchten supplied the matching luminaires to carry out this individual concept.

All pictures are copyright by Hotel Der Blaue Reiter GmbH & Co. KG, Karlsruhe.

With just under three months until the holiday season begins, excitement is building in the capital with more than one in five of London’s hotel rooms already booked (20.7 per cent on average between 24 December 2013 – 2 January 2014).Forward-looking data from TravelClick, the leading hotel market intelligence provider, shows an increase in bookings at this point in the booking window of 7.7 per cent on the same dates last year. Hoteliers are seeing the benefits of the festive season with average daily rates up 7.2 per cent year on year.

The annual New Year’s Eve festivities of the capital, watching the fireworks over the iconic skyline, continues to prove a draw, with one third of hotels rooms booked for the night of 31 December (33.9 per cent). Group bookings to London for celebrating seeing in 2014 are also looking healthy with committed occupancy for New Year’s Eve in particular up 21.4 per cent on last year (increase of 2.1 per cent year over year).

Info is based on data pulled by TravelClick on 14 September 2013 88 London hotels with a combined capacity of 18,656.

Choice Hotels Europe, part of Choice Hotels International, Inc. has recently announced five more properties, located in The Midlands and Hampshire in England and in Dublin, Ireland, have been added to its portfolio.The Midlands now benefits from two more Choice Hotels brand properties with the addition of Quality Hotel Wolverhampton, formerly The Connaught Hotel, and Quality Hotel Birmingham Airport/NEC, re-opening its doors for business under new management. This brings the number of Choice Hotels properties in the region to seven.

The 60-room Quality Hotel Wolverhampton is a short walk from Wolverhampton City Centre and offers easy access to major roads and highways. Quality Hotel Birmingham Airport/NEC is now owned and operated by Hospitality First, under a franchise agreement with Choice Hotels Europe. The hotel is a short distance from Birmingham International Airport, Birmingham National Exhibition Centre and the City Centre.

The Makeney Hall Hotel is now Clarion Collection Hotel Makeney Hall. The magnificent, 46-room Victorian country mansion is situated in the heart of Derbyshire and set in six acres of landscaped gardens. Close to East Midlands Airport, the property is ideally situated for local business destinations and the nearby Peak District National Park.

Clarion Collection Hotel Winchester Royal dates back to the 16th century. This distinctive property is located near the center of the historic town and close to major roadways, the Hampshire business destinations and the scenic South Hampshire Coast.

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InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has recently announced plans for two new properties, one located in Nashville, and the other in Deadwood, S.D., adding to the growing global Holiday Inn Resort® brand portfolio, currently at 36 properties worldwide.Currently the Fontanel Mansion is a 27,000 sq. ft. log home previously owned by Country Music Hall of Fame member Barbara Mandrell. This will be the future site of the 140-room hotel set to open as Fontanel, a Holiday Inn Resort® by mid-2015. Located at 4225 Whites Creek Pike, the property is currently Nashville’s only country music mansion tour. Guest amenities will include events and activities at the Woods Amphitheater, the Pepsi Studio Gallery, American-Italian cuisine and wine bar at Café Fontanella, on-site zip lines and nearby golf course access. Additionally, the hotel is equipped with total meeting space of over 20,000 sq. ft. as well as a pool, spa and hiking and biking trails. Nearby attractions include The Ryman Theatre, the Country Music Hall of Fame, downtown Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry.

Located at 1906 Deadwood Mountain Drive, The Deadwood Mountain Grand, will become a Holiday Inn Resort® in October. Formerly a historical mining building, the over 245,000 sq. feet property includes six floors comprising 98 guest rooms including five beautifully appointed suites. The town of Deadwood is a Registered National Historic Landmark with the Mount Rushmore National Monument within a 45 minute drive and the Devil’s Tower National Monument just an hour away. The hotel also has a well-equipped fitness center, a business center, and meeting facilities as well as an indoor pool, spa, casino and event center and an activities center.

The Holiday Inn Resort brand transitioned from the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resorts® brand in 2007 as part of the $1 billion Holiday Inn® global brand relaunch, the largest project of its kind in hospitality history. The relaunch continues to drive increased quality and consistency across the global portfolio. The new hotels will feature a contemporary image with emphasis on arrival and welcome services, guestroom and guest bath comfort and a redesigned logo and signage. The Holiday Inn Resort brand is part of IHG, which is celebrating its 10 year anniversary as a global standalone hotel company this year. IHG’s broad family of nine brands in nearly 100 countries and territories, meets the needs of guests, whatever the occasion – whether an overnight getaway, a business trip, a family celebration or a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Fontanel, a Holiday Inn Resort, owned and operated by M.O.R.E Enterprises, and Deadwood Mountain Grand, a Holiday Inn Resort, owned and operated by Tentexkota, LLC, will be franchised by an affiliate of IHG.

Accor, the world’s leading hotel operator and market leader in Europe, is pleased to announce the signing of the Novotel London Brentford hotel, which will be operated under a lease agreement with Brentford Hotels Limited, a subsidiary of the Pedersen Group. The 202-room hotel is under construction and is due to open early 2015. The hotel joins the midscale brand’s growing network which boasts 31 Novotels in key city destinations. The brand’s flagship Novotel London Blackfriars hotel opened in Southwark in October 2012 with high tech specification throughout, and Accor has also announced a new build Novotel at 40 Marsh Street, Canary Wharf which is due to open in mid-2015.

Thomas Dubaere, Managing Director, Accor UK & Ireland said: “The Novotel London Brentford hotel is an ideal location for both business and leisure travellers. It further strengthens our presence in the Greater London area and is another important step towards growing the UK network. Novotel is a key midscale brand for Accor and this hotel demonstrates our commitment to this segment.”

With 395 hotels in more than 60 countries, Novotel hotels are located in the heart of major cities, business districts and tourist destinations. The brand offers efficiency and comfort to its business customers while satisfying the needs of leisure travellers through contemporary design, flexibility and technology.

Marriott International and Prince Hotels, Inc, of Japan announced that The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo will become Japan’s first Autograph Collection hotel – a portfolio of independent hotels, with the re-opening of the newly renovated hotel on September 14, 2013. Exactly like nothing else, the Autograph Collection is an upscale portfolio of hand-selected independent hotels each offering its own unique travel experience. Experiences fall within diverse categories including Urban Excitement, Indulgent Escape, Culinary Delight, Artistic Getaway, Historic Exploration and more. Each hotel is thoughtfully chosen based on quality, character and individuality.

Originally opened in 1998, the 288-room Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo has gone through an extensive refurbishment and renovation under the direction of interior designer Ryu Kosaka of Aoyama Nomura Design, whose work is highly acclaimed both in Japan and overseas. All of the hotel’s rooms, lobby area, restaurants, and other areas were designed to convey a modern sense of harmony, blending the spaces with the seasonal landscapes of hotel’s Japanese garden.

The hotel has at its heart the concept of ‘Japanese style hospitality at the center of the city’ and is centrally located just a 3-minute walk from Tokyo’s Shinagawa station. The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo also boasts a spacious Japanese garden of approximately 2 hectares (5 acres) where guests can enjoy the ever-changing natural beauty of the garden from season to season – and especially during the cherry blossom season as the hotel’s grounds are blessed with more than 200 cherry blossom trees which showcase the amazing sakura blossoms – reflected in the hotel’s name.

The Prince Sakura Tower Autograph Collection with its newly enhanced facilities is expected to host an increased number of international travelers, and this will further be supported by in the future with government tourism promotion, the economic growth of countries in the region, and the implementation of a robust MICE strategy by Prince Hotels.

Carlson Rezidor, one of the largest and most dynamic hotel groups worldwide, announces their very first project in Algeria: The Radisson Blu Hotel, Algiers Hydra featuring 138 guest rooms is scheduled to open in Q1 2015. “We are delighted to arrive in Algeria – a country with considerable growth potential where we aim to further strengthen the presence of our core brands Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson”, said Wolfgang M. Neumann, President & CEO of Rezidor.

The signing also underlines the importance Africa has for Carlson Rezidor as a key development market: All across the continent the group operates and develops 51 hotels with more than 11,300 rooms; in Northern Africa alone 14 hotels with more than 4,500 rooms (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya).

The upper upscale Radisson Blu Hotel, Algiers Hydra will be prominently located in the Hydra Commune, part of the “Heights of Algiers”, which is considered as the wealthiest part of the Algerian capital and shelters the majority of the foreign embassies, ministries and universities. Furthermore, the hotel is located less than 20 km from Algiers’ international airport. The foundations of the hotel are ready and the prestigious project has been inaugurated by the Algerian Ministry of Tourism.

Besides 138 rooms with Radisson Blu signature services such a free high speed internet access, the hotel will offer a 315m² all-day dining restaurant, a 200m² lobby bar, as well as 380m² of meeting and conference facilities and a wellness and fitness centre.

Just minutes from Hong Kong and within hopping distance from Guangzhou and Macau is a completely different destination: Shenzhen. Already well known to the electronics industries and the banking and financial world, this modern powerhouse city is to become more accessible than ever before with the opening of the new Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen.Located in the heart of the vibrant new downtown within just ten minutes’ drive of the Huanggang and Futian borders to Hong Kong, Shenzhen offers a welcome addition to any Chinese tour, especially for those who are travelling to or through other major gateways in the Pearl River Delta. The Hotel is within walking distance of major shopping malls, the Civic Centre including the Shenzhen Museum and adjacent Concert Hall, and an MTR station for easy access to the rest of the city.

The Look of Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen
With its modern design and forward thinking features and amenities, Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen is right at home in this UNESCO City of Design. Architects Urabanus and interior designers Hirsch Bedner & Associates (HBA) have created a contemporary, light-filled tower with a 6th level reception that overlooks green spaces and water courtyards with panoramic views of the city.

Inside, the ambiance is that of a chic private home. Each of 266 light-filled rooms and suites are large – most are 50 square metres (540 square feet) or more – and packed with technological conveniences and thoughtful comforts such as a pillow menu and mini iPads.

Wining, Dining and Entertaining
Envisioned by renowned SPIN Design and meaning “fragrant,” FOO is Shenzhen’s newest destination for foodies. Creative pan-Asian menus include a selection of shared main courses, and foodies will love the peek-a-boo windows into the series of kitchen studios where Chef Brian Chan and his team perform their culinary magic.

Celebrating the great cuisine of the region, Zhuo Yue Xuan literally means “excellent food,” which is exactly what Chef Tse Man – a Hong Kong native with more than 30 years’ experience in Cantonese kitchens – and his team will present to guests of this high-style restaurant. In addition to the main space, ten private dining rooms-with-views are available for more intimate social gatherings and business entertaining.

For Chinese and traditional afternoon tea and after work drinks, Yi Bar & Lounge offers an oasis for busy shoppers, or a casual environment to entertain colleagues. In the evening, Yi pops the Champagne corks and turns up the music in Shenzhen’s newest destination for international jetsetters and the city’s urban chic with a lively and exuberant atmosphere amid sophisticated décor, innovative lighting and city-view outdoor space.

Doing Business at Four Seasons – and Celebrating Special Occasions
Unique to Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen is Terraces, a 7th level rooftop area of 150 square metres (1,615 square feet) for up to 80 guests in an open air reception freshened by the city’s year-round pleasant breezes – complete with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and wired or wireless high speed internet.

Two large spaces include the 6th floor Four Seasons Ballroom seating up to 360 guests plus two private pre-function spaces, and the more intimate Peony Ballroom on the 29th floor, where up to 180 seated guests will enjoy sweeping views from floor to ceiling windows.

Staying Fit and Relaxed
The 24-hour fitness centre at Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen allows time zone hopping travellers to keep up their cardio and weight training, or relax in the sauna, steam room and whirlpool.

The indoor pool is an excellent choice for aquatic workouts, while the larger outdoor pool invites relaxation and splashing about with the kids for families on holiday.

For working travellers, Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen offers the exclusive Executive Club Lounge. Tucked away on the 29th floor, guests will find extra conveniences and perks, including all day refreshments and cocktails, workstations, a fully equipped business centre, dedicated check in-check out and concierge services, wired and wireless internet, and more.

GHM dropped anchor in the Indian Ocean last month when the luxury hotel group inked a deal to operate its first resort in the Maldives, scheduled to open in 2016.The agreement with the developers was signed six weeks after GHM announced it would launch three hotels in Taiwan, and less than five months after the company expanded its hospitality interests in the U.A.E.

Located on a 55-hectare, crescent-shaped atoll — the largest habitable island in the Maldives — and 20 minutes by speedboat from Hanimadhoo International Airport, The Chedi Dhapparu will include 90 hotel-managed residential villas and 40 hotel suites, half of which will hover over crystal-clear waters the republic is known for.

Every unit will offer unrestricted views of either a coral-reef lagoon or the open ocean and will feature lush, tropical landscaping.

“The setting is absolutely spectacular, and lends itself perfectly to our brand philosophy – that each GHM hotel should, in its own way, be a style to remember,” said GHM President Hans R. Jenni. “We couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity.”

To ensure the area’s ecosystem remains in proper balance, GHM plans to institute a program for maintaining the ideal levels of coral in the lagoon, which is popular among dolphins and other marine species.

And to ensure the resort possesses characteristics consistent with all GHM properties, the group will work with Reda Amalou of AW2, the Paris-based architecture firm responsible for the design of the award-winning Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam.

Twenty of the hotel suites – the 90-square-metre Chedi Club Suites – will have private pools. All 130 units will offer direct access to the beach.

“The concept will be contemporary living with an Asian touch,” said Jenni. “Instead of thatched, Maldivian roofs, we’ll have flat roofs, and interiors with clean lines and high ceilings.”

The Chedi Dhapparu is the first project in the Maldives with a license to sell real estate titles to villa buyers. The villas will have from one to four bedrooms, with the largest covering 565 square metres. Sales will begin early next year.

Other features of the master plan include a sea-facing, new-age spa with 10 double treatment rooms; a health club with a tai chi terrace; a club lounge catering to guests lodged in the over-water suites; and a beach club with a dive centre and chic bar.

Blueprints also call for a library, cigar lounge and four food-and-beverage outlets, including a dinner-only venue serving specialties from the Maldives, India and Sri Lanka, and a Japanese restaurant that takes advantage of the resort’s access to fresh seafood.

There are not many hotels where the furniture and lighting features in the national design museum. The Kunstindustriemuseet (Museum of Decorative Arts) in Copenhagen acknowledges the startling effect the building and its contents had on all aspects of Danish design in the late 1950’s. Many interior designers dream of designing everything in an hotel, few are successful in carrying it off. Arne Jacobsen, already at the time teaching in the Danish School of Design, carried the project through controversy to meet the brief of Scandinavian Airlines System (known everywhere SAS Airlines, and birthplace of hotel operators Radisson SAS eventually becoming Rezidor) to provide it with an hotel in Copenhagen symbolic of the emergence of the jet age.The hotel was the first true high-rise building amongst the otherwise homogenous predominantly pre-war architecture of the Danish capital, reaching 22 stories high. It was for a while the tallest building in Scandinavia – remarkable considering the first steel frame skyscraper buildings in Chicago date from the 19th Century (see Kimpton’s Hotel Burnham , built in 1894 as the first glass walled skyscraper). The Royal hotel building is amongst the first attempts to create a transport interchange, providing check-in services for passengers using SAS flights from the capital’s airport, and became known as a ‘landmark for the jet age’. Apparently the local newspaper ‘Politiken’ commented: “Each day thousands of people stop up in Vesterbrogade, look up and think: ‘I hope that it won’t fall down in a storm’”

The sense of this cultural and stylistic inheritance is strong in the hotel. The sense of local and corporate pride in the achievements of Arne Jacobsen is apparent by the preservation of Room 606 with the original colour scheme, including fabrics, furniture and lighting, all designed by Jacobsen. The room is also part of the lettings so if you want to stay and experience a room style and functionality of the 1950’s, the room can be requested when booking. In truth some of the design features Jacobsen built in work better than some of the features in the contemporary rooms, particularly his tracked lighting system and concealed dressing table units.

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Hilton Worldwide has recently announced the signing of two management agreements which mark its entry into Georgia. Flagship brand Hilton Hotels & Resorts will debut in the coastal city of Batumi in summer 2014, whilst Georgian capital Tbilisi will be the location for a mid-market Hilton Garden Inn property in 2016. The two projects are entirely separate with different partners but jointly represent Hilton’s arrival into Georgia.Hilton Batumi – Hilton Hotels & Resorts will open its debut hotel in the coastal city of Batumi, following a management agreement with Tourinvest Ltd. Batumi has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, establishing the city as a thriving leisure destination. Tourism is central to the city’s economy thanks largely to its popular casinos, beaches and vibrant nightlife.

With 247 guestrooms, a destination restaurant and showpiece rooftop bar overlooking the Black Sea, the upscale Hilton Batumi will appeal to leisure guests seeking to explore the city. It will be located on the doorstep of attractions such as Batumi beach and the Seaside Park, whilst being in close proximity to the city centre and commercial port. The multi-purpose site will be shared with a retail unit, casino and health club, all directly linked to the hotel via a walkway and benefitting from underground parking.

Hilton Garden Inn Tbilisi Chavchavadze – The award winning mid-market brand will announce its presence with an eye-catching 14 storey, 165 guestroom property in the heart of Tbilisi’s financial district, following a management agreement with LTD Chavchavadze 64a that sees Redix act as developer and asset manager. The hotel will boast a prime location on Chavchavadze Avenue, which houses many of the city’s banks and commercial headquarters, while also being a thriving retail destination.

Guests at Hilton Garden Inn Tbilisi Chavchavadze will be able to enjoy the brand’s signature features, designed for convenience and comfort. This will include the Garden Sleep System; ergonomic Orange Box chair; and high-speed internet access. Its restaurant will offer traditional all-day dining while light bites are available on the go from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry. The hotel will also be equipped with a round the clock business centre and a fitness complex featuring an indoor swimming pool.

Financing of up to $18.7 million for the Hilton Garden Inn property has been provided by the EBRD*. The project has also benefited from a technical and energy performance assessment sponsored by the government of Japan through the EBRD’s Sustainable Energy Initiative.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has recently announced the conversion of the Hotel Indigo® Anaheim hotel, the Hotel Indigo brand’s fourth property in California. Close to Disneyland Park and the Anaheim Convention Center, this addition to IHG’s Anaheim hotels is conveniently located near Universal Studios and both John Wayne and Los Angeles International airports.The four-story, 104-room retro-style hotel has been renovated with an investment of around $5 million by New Century Enterprises LLC, and uniquely tells the story of Anaheim’s agricultural history. The hotel is located near what was once a well-traveled wagon trail that connected several thriving ranches responsible for producing nearly half of the nation’s walnuts in the early 1900’s. This history is reflected in the hotel’s design, including mosaic murals featuring blooming walnut trees.

The Hotel Indigo Anaheim hotel, located at 435 W. Katella Ave., is convenient for both leisure and business travelers. The hotel has a meeting room that can be converted to suit a variety of needs, as well as a pool and a well-equipped fitness center. Complimentary Internet access is available throughout the property. The Chambers Bar & Bistro serves seasonal and locally-sourced food in a stylish environment. The restaurant name pays homage to the area’s history as the Chambers Ranch, the home of several hard-working families who made their living growing walnuts.

The Hotel Indigo Anaheim hotel, owned and operated by New Century Enterprises LLC, is franchised by an affiliate of IHG.

August Highlights
• Hamburg’s hotels were full and profitable
• … while the Romans struggled to convert revenues to profits

Chengdu’s newest and most anticipated hotel officially opens its doors today. Located in the heart of the city that was once the site of an imperial palace, the opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu marks the official arrival of luxury hospitality in South Western China. Towering above Tianfu Square in the city’s cosmopolitan heart, the 353 room property will be the ninth in China for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. and the 19th in Asia Pacific. With interior design inspired by traditional Chinese courtyard homes, oriental motifs have been skillfully blended into a contemporary luxury hotel. The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu pays homage to the past, while also catering to the modern needs of its guests with unmatched hotel accommodations.

The 41-storey luxury hotel has unrivalled views over downtown Chengdu with the highest guestrooms in the city. Those who have reserved one of 113 Ritz-Carlton Club level rooms or 55 suites will experience China’s only dedicated Club level personal butler services during their stay. The Ritz-Carlton Club Level provides an exclusive concierge, private check-in, and five delicious food and beverage services throughout the day within a stunning lounge boasting panoramic views of Chengdu.

Designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates, The Ritz-Carlton Spa draws inspiration from Chengdu’s position along the Ancient Silk Road with a contemporary twist. Utilizing historically-appropriate materials that include indigenous woods, metals, marble and the trade route’s namesake silk, the designers have created spaces which combine modern Chinese luxury with local culture. The spa has ten treatment rooms including two couples’ suites and luxurious heated jade stone beds.

The striking sanctuary also includes a beauty salon and a Technogym-outfitted Fitness Center built around a 25-meter indoor swimming pool equipped with an underwater music system.

The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu offers unrivalled dining and memorable experiences with the dedicated craftsmanship of Ritz-Carlton chefs, mixologists and sommeliers at its four restaurants and bars. Li Xuan Chinese Restaurant brings together the finest Cantonese dishes with local Sichuanese creations; SPICES, an all-day dining restaurant orchestrates the theatre and excitement of five open kitchens with cuisine from Italy, Japan, China and South East Asia.

The Lobby Lounge hosts a traditional English Afternoon Tea. The FLAIR lounge, designed by KCA International, has sweeping views of Chengdu from its outdoor terraces. Private rooms offer a sophisticated menu of classic cocktails, Asian tapas and fresh sushi. Complete with live DJs and a 360 degree fireplace, FLAIR will create a distinctive ambience that will make it the new beating heart of trendy upscale night life in the city.

With 1,700 square meters of event space, The Ritz-Carlton can cater to a broad range of upscale meetings and events for up to 900 guests with its two versatile luxury ballrooms and seven meeting rooms.

Yesterday (7th October), the UK’s first budget hotel chain, Travelodge wrote to 124 local councils in Great Britain following its successful co-partnership deals with local authorities for its Aylesbury and Eastleigh Central Travelodge hotels. Through this innovative partnership, local authorities borrow money from central Government via the Public Works Loan board at a fixed low interest rate and regenerate surplus land that they own by building a Travelodge hotel as either a stand-alone project or as part of a mixed-use development. Not only does this create jobs and boost the local economy but it also provides a substantial return of profit for the council.

For example, Aylesbury Travelodge which officially opened last week, is the first branded budget hotel to open in the town centre. The 81-room property has been funded by Aylesbury Vale District Council as part of a £18 million regeneration project which includes a Waitrose supermarket, a 270-space multi storey car park and the Travelodge hotel.

Enterprising Aylesbury Vale District Council borrowed funds from the Public Works Loan Board, a division of HM Treasury at a fixed low rate of 4.5% to fund this project.

The rental deal agreed between Travelodge and the District Council, plus the income from the other site occupiers means – Aylesbury Vale District Council is set to generate a double digit return on its investment.

Councillor Neil Blake, Leader of Aylesbury Vale Council, said:

“The redevelopment of Aylesbury town centre has been something we have been working hard to achieve for a long time and it is great that we have secured our first branded budget hotel, a Travelodge property in the heart of the town centre.

“At a time when so many other town centre redevelopment projects across the country were being delayed, scrapped, or put on hold, we are delighted to have been able to push forward with our regeneration plans and secure an impressive yield on the site. Many people have been involved in getting us to this point, in particular Cllr John Cartwright, who has recently stepped down as Leader of the Council after 11 years in the hot seat.

“The new development, including the addition of the Travelodge has not only significantly enhanced the attraction and vitality of Aylesbury, but has meant that we can now confidently move forward with the rest of our plans to improve the town.”

Commenting on the deal, Neil Parlett, Director of Public Sector Advisory Services at Lambert Smith Hampton, said:

“Travelodge and Aylesbury Vale District Council worked hard to secure an effective development partnership. This model for delivering economic development on robust commercial terms should be an attractive template for many other Local Authorities”

Earlier this year, Travelodge opened a new hotel in the centre of Eastleigh, a deal which also came about through a partnership with the local authority and was funded via Prudential Code borrowing via the Public Works Loan Board.

Alongside the successful examples of Aylesbury and Eastleigh, Travelodge is also in advanced negotiations with five other local authorities across the UK for developments utilising land and assets owned by the councils.

Given the success of the two schemes developed so far and the apparent willingness of other local authorities to look at ways of maximising the potential of their land and assets, Travelodge has now written to 124 local authorities in Great Britain – who all have locations identified within the Company’s hotels target location list. The letter explains how Aylesbury Vale and Eastleigh Councils were both willing to be creative in securing funds to finance vital regeneration schemes which included the construction of a Travelodge hotel on land or assets owned by themselves.

Paul Harvey, Travelodge Managing Director for Property said:

“We are the first UK budget hotel brand to work with local councils on co-partnership developments. The deals we have done so far have provided a great investment opportunity for both parties and as a result of this innovative calibration, we have today written to 124 other local authorities across England & Wales to see if we can work with them on a similar scheme.”

“Both Eastleigh and Aylesbury Vale are forward-thinking, innovative and enterprising local authorities. Both councils have recognised the opportunity to add new facilities into their towns whilst making a good return on their investment.”

Patrick Goff, Editor of www.hoteldesigns.net, has watched fascinated for over 30 years as new hotels and new rooms are added to, in particular, London hotel stock. However he has remained puzzled that over the years the shortage of room nights available in London has hardly change. It has been known for some time that as new rooms are brought on stream so older hotels go out of use, converted into more profitable apartments or gently declining to become hostels or nursing homes. Now research conducted by Melvin Gold Consulting has revealed that almost 40,000 UK hotel rooms have closed during the past decade – the majority being small unbranded independent properties in coastal areas such as Cornwall, Blackpool and Torbay. The report also revealed a significant number of rooms closed in the key London boroughs of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea – typically branded and larger properties – the largest being the Regent Palace which included the closure of more than 1,000 rooms at the end of 2006. However closures in resort areas are the most significant category overall, with Cornwall, Blackpool, Torbay, Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight, as well as The Channel Islands, all featuring high levels of closures (see table at foot of the release for a list of all boroughs/districts with more than 400 rooms closed). Whereas new hotel openings outnumbered the closures in the London boroughs and larger cities, this was not the case in the coastal areas. The study indicates that at least 39,174 rooms have closed in 2,139 hotels – an average size of 18.3 rooms per property.

Today, the UK serviced accommodation sector comprises some 730,000 rooms of which 43.5% are part of hotel chains with consortia membership comprising 4.7%. Although Independent unbranded properties are still the majority of supply – 51.8% – this is fast changing. In particular the branded budget hotel sector has grown 10% per annum in the past decade and exceeded 20% in the prior decade and now has over 130,000 rooms, some 17.8% of total service accommodation.

Hotel Industry Consultant Melvin Gold reported on the research by saying: “The hotel industry in the British Isles is rapidly changing and it is very exciting to be part of such a dynamic sector that is adapting to its future.

“The transition of the UK hotel industry that is in progress is further evidenced by our research. We have found hotels changing use to residential accommodation, care homes, and student accommodation or being demolished to facilitate new development. It is important to note that it does not herald the end of the independent hotel, provided they are well-invested and market focused. I still expect them to comprise up to 40% of the future UK hotel market, but the majority of UK hotels will be branded within the next decade. This process of change reflects the requirements of the 21st Century consumer and also creates increased employment opportunities as the supply-base moves towards larger, branded hotels. From 2003 to the end of 2013, 103,612 new hotel rooms have opened in the UK. Even taking account of closures I expect continued growth and the UK hotel industry to have more than 850,000 rooms by 2030.”

The latest ‘Quantification of Serviced Accommodation Supply in the United Kingdom and Consideration of Related Issues’ report by Melvin Gold Consulting was issued in March 2011 and can be downloaded free here.

The article referred to concerning hotel openings in the UK during the past decade, and supporting information, is accessible here and here.

Local Authority areas in the UK with more than 400 rooms closed in the past decade are listed below: Local Authority areas with more than 400 rooms closed:

Rooms Hotels / Average / Size
Westminster 2,067 / 25 / 82.7
Cornwall 1,968 / 117 / 16.8
Blackpool 1,526 / 68 / 22.4
Channel Isles 1,230 / 52 / 23.7
Kensington
and Chelsea 1,210 / 22 / 55.0
Torbay 1,157 / 73 / 15.8
Bournemouth 940 / 39 / 24.1
Isle of Wight 933 / 46 / 20.3
Conwy 693 / 35 / 19.8
North Devon 660 / 34 / 19.4
Highland 581 / 36 / 16.1
Isle of Man 573 / 19 / 30.2
Scarborough 556 / 36 / 15.4
Thanet 494 / 23 / 21.5
Argyll & Bute 417 / 30 / 13.9
Birmingham 416 / 18 / 23.1
South Lakeland 405 / 39 / 10.4

Source: Melvin Gold Consulting research. Melvin Gold Consulting is an independent hotel consultancy specialising in strategic and financial work in the hotel sector in the UK and Europe.

The Metamorphosis of the Hilton London Metropole took 10 months to complete and showcases the Hilton lobby DNA design concept for the first time in the UK.

A 5ft cake was unveiled as a visual representation of the newly refurbished lobby at Hilton London Metropole, with each layer showcasing the six zones within the new-look space. One of the largest conference hotels in the UK and Europe, welcomes two new senior members to its sales team. The appointments of Jackie Boughton, director of sales, and Paul Weild, MICE sales manager, strengthen further the hotel’s highly regarded conference, meeting and events team with both bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to their new positions.

Prior to being appointed as director of sales at Hilton London Metropole, Jackie Boughton was head of sales at Wembley Stadium, overseeing the launch and growth of the arena over the last five years. Boughton’s knowledge and skills acquired, over 35 years, enabled her to achieve great successes during her time at Wembley Stadium.

During her career Boughton has been shortlisted for Conference and Incentive Travel’s top “Power 50” list. She also has an active role within the West London Business Chamber of Commerce as a board member, as well as a number of other industry consortiums.

Paul Weild brings over eight years of corporate sales practice to his new MICE sales manager role, having previously worked for Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Hotel du Vin, Sodexo Prestige and Holiday Inn Hotels.

Marriott International, Inc. expands its brand offering in Asia with the opening of its first Fairfield by Marriott hotel in Bengaluru, India. Considered a growth engine for the company’s expansion in Asia with 12 hotels signed in India and additional properties signed in Nepal and Indonesia, Fairfield represents an excellent opportunity for Marriott International to move into new locations and markets.

The Fairfield Bengaluru Rajajinager in South India opened on October 9th offering 148-rooms and Kava, a three-meal-a-day restaurant which will serve authentic Indian cuisine along with Western menu options, featuring both buffet and à la carte options. In addition the hotel has a functional lobby with a bar lounge and 24/7 Market for drinks and snacks; ample banquet and meeting room space with modern technology, a well-equipped business centre as well as a fitness center and a rooftop pool.

Louvre Hotels Group, a major player in hotel services in Europe, announces the signing of a strategic partnership with ARCUS Bauerrichtung GmbH, a German real estate construction group and Redserve, an Austrian consulting firm specialised in the development of international real estate projects.The partnership aims to build a portfolio of 26 hotels in Germany, Austria and Switzerland by 2020 for a total investment of about €160 million. The first development phase will place priority on locations in major regional cities such as Munich, Vienna, Salzburg, Basle and Zurich.

Louvre Hotels Group and ARCUS plan to pursue a dynamic development strategy over the next seven years with the opening of three to five new hotels each year. The first hotel developed under the partnership will be inaugurated in the north of Munich, Germany, in the fourth quarter of 2014.
As part of this partnership, ARCUS and Redserve will develop a sub brand of Tulip Inn hotels operating under the “Tulip Inn Alp Style” label.

Using the “Tulip Inn Alp Style” label, the partners intend to develop modern and functional hotels built around the warm ambiance typical of Alpine chalets. The concept, developed by Redserve, is based on the idea of transmitting ideas of traditional alpine hospitality, holiday associations to the guests of the “Tulip Inn Alp Style”. Next to an outstanding quality of architectural design the hotels will be constructed in a highly sustainable manner, using natural materials, focussing on local resources and which are based on energy efficiency principles. The concept will furthermore offer authentic, family-style services at competitive prices, highlighting the excellent quality-price trade-off of the “Tulip Inn Alp Style” label.

Main Characteristics of “Tulip Inn Alp Style” hotels:

 Functional, 16.5 m² rooms, all equipped with state-of-the-art technology
 A spacious lobby with lounge and a boutique area
 A free of charge cardio fitness centre
 Fully air-conditioned conference rooms with full audio- and videoconferencing facilities
 A bar and alpine bistro serving regional specialties, 24/7 snack and drink vending machines
 Free WiFi and online movie services for all guests

After expanding rapidly in Eastern Europe in recent years, this partnership will enable Louvre Hotels Group to strengthen its presence in Central Europe, where the Group now has 14 hotels.

Affinia 50, located in the heart of New York City’s sophisticated Midtown neighborhood (on 50th Street at Lexington Avenue), is currently undergoing a top-to-bottom renovation that is scheduled for completion in November 2013. The renovation encompasses the entire Midtown Manhattan boutique hotel: all guest rooms and suites, as well as all public spaces, including the lobby, popular second floor Club Room and corridors. The hotel has remained fully operational during the renovation process. Affinia 50’s $18 – $20 million transformation pays homage to its surroundings, capturing the energy and evolution of the neighborhood and incorporating all the comforts of home. The boutique hotel’s overall design will offer more of an open layout, created to reflect a chic, city-smart space where guests can balance business with leisure. This will be the first renovation for the property in ten years.

As part of the new overall direction for the NYC hotel, Affinia 50 will look to forge outside partnerships to enhance the guest experience. Recently, Affinia 50 launched a collaboration with FreshDirect, offering guests ready-to-make meals delivered to the hotel, and NakedWines.com, an online community that supports independent winemakers, to host the hotel’s nightly wine hour.
Re-imagined by celebrated architect Nobutaka Ashihara and international interior design firm Dawson Design Associates, the property’s approachable yet modern environment will be achieved through textures, rich woods and classic lines – all of which underlies the Affinia 50 boutique hotel experience.

“The new Affinia 50 will be a space where guests can enjoy facilities and hotel amenities designed for the well-seasoned traveler – whether in town for business or pleasure,” said Brian Gehlich, Affinia 50’s general manager. “The completely renovated property includes curated elements that evoke a sense of familiarity, chic, modern and locally inspired in its design. We want the hotel to be a welcome haven for guests to feel right at home.”

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The New York City borough of Queens will soon be home to a dual-hotel development featuring two popular Starwood brands. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has recently announced plans to open Four Points by Sheraton Flushing and Element Flushing in September 2015. Owned by Century Construction Group, the hotels will boast a convenient location, just ten minutes from LaGuardia Airport (LGA). Four Points by Sheraton Flushing will feature 178 stylish and comfortable guest rooms, 1,585 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space and dining service. Element Flushing will offer 118 rooms, a select-service restaurant and 1,015 square feet of flexible meeting space with modular furnishings and a flexible layout. The two hotels will share a 24-hour fitness center and heated indoor pool.

Boasting the second largest pipeline among all Starwood brands, Four Points by Sheraton has more than 175 hotels worldwide in 2013, fueled by the success of its “best for business” proposition for travelers seeking great hotels at great rates. Four Points by Sheraton Flushing will be the brand’s fourth hotel in New York City.

Located just minutes from LaGuardia Airport and eight miles from midtown Manhattan, Four Points by Sheraton Flushing and Element Flushing will be close to the New York Hall of Science, the American Museum of Moving Image and Flushing Botanical Gardens. The hotels will also offer proximity to Arthur Ashe Stadium, the Bronx Zoo, Midtown Manhattan, Times Square and the Broadway Theater District.

Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy is pleased to announce the opening of a new restaurant. Located on the 2nd floor of the hotel, the Acapella Restaurant & Lounge has rediscovered genuine taste, specialising in fresh, healthy and delicious food. It also offers a variety of local wines, as well as drinks made using organic fruits and vegetables. The restaurant’s main emphasis is on locally sourced, organic ingredients, while maintaining affordable dining. “A capella” is a musical term for polyphonic choral singing without instrumental accompaniment. Vocalists need to have a great deal of experience and knowledge of music to be part of an a capella choir. The kitchen team works together in a similar way, harmonising to offer guests natural and exquisite tastes that aren’t suppressed by heavy spices and sauces. The menu for the Acapella Restaurant & Lounge was created by Ivan Tishkin, Chef de Cuisine, who was previously the chef of the panoramic City Space Bar. The beverage menu was fashioned by Elena Chernoguzova, Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy’s beverage manager.

Acapella’s dishes contain only natural products and ingredients selected for their high level of quality. The restaurant’s team offers a modern interpretation of European and Russian cuisine, focusing on products with Russian origin, as well as eco-friendly, organic ingredients combined using modern cooking techniques. About 70% of all products used are local. “We use a lot of Russian products and recipes, and we offer them in a novel way. For example, some dishes are prepared sous vide, at low temperatures in a vacuum. This technique helps to keep the maximum of minerals and nutrients in food. Meat becomes softer and juicier, and fish has denser texture and richer taste,” says Ivan Tishkin.

This concept is also reflected in the Acapella Restaurant & Lounge’s interior design. In the same way a choir has different voices, the design of the restaurant is a delightful combination of tones and sections.Acapella opens onto a lounge overlooking the lobby, with an elegant à-la carte restaurant in the back. Acapella offers a relaxed, stylish atmosphere that combines Russian sophistication with a modern, urban tone. With seating for 150, the Acapella Restaurant & Lounge is open daily from 7 am to 11pm for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is also an ideal place for business or social events.

DoubleTree by Hilton is offering travellers the opportunity to experience the vibrant culture of Lisbon, with the opening of the upscale brand’s first hotel in Portugal. Formerly the Fontana Park Hotel and located in Saldanha Square, DoubleTree by Hilton Lisbon – Fontana Park, with its design-led interior, is ideal for experiencing the historic Portuguese capital in style.Offering 139 guestrooms, the hotel retains much original character including various elements in homage to the building’s previous function as a small iron factory, and the beautiful interior open-air courtyard, complete with waterfall. Guests will be able to enjoy the DoubleTree brand’s signature warm welcome with a chocolate chip cookie presented on check-in.

Lisbon is rich in culture and history, and boasts a number of world-class attractions, including Ponte Vasco da Gama, the longest bridge in Europe, and the Cristo-Rei monument that stands at 260 ft., overlooking the entire city. Situated at the mouth of the Tagus River where it meets the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon enjoys a mild climate all year round, and is the perfect destination for travellers looking for beautiful sandy beaches, renowned golf courses, or interesting heritage sites. The city has also become a popular destination for major international meetings and events.

DoubleTree By Hilton Lisbon – Fontana Park is situated just 5.3 km from the airport, and less than 10 km from the Gare do Oriente, which connects the capital with Spain and France via the high-speed train network. Whilst staying at the hotel, guests can enjoy traditional Portuguese cuisine in the Saldanha Mar Restaurant, or sample the relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle in the Fontana Bar Lounge.

Contra has recently launched their new website which showcases the companies range of soft furnishings and accessories.Established in 1985 Contra provide soft furnishings to many of the leading hotel groups in the UK and Europe.

Contra Curtains Project Director, Chris Wicks, oversaw the development and design of the new website.

“Working closely with our website team, we agreed at an early stage that the site should focus on the broad range of properties we have completed. Through the use of wonderful images built up over many years, our site showcases a number of completed properties. We feel these images clearly portray the quality of our drapery installations “

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. has announced a major expansion and development initiative that will bring the total number of properties in its portfolio to 100 hotels and resorts around the world by 2016. Ranging from Morocco to Japan and Israel to India, this plan will expand the brand to urban capitals and emerging tourist destinations, some of which are a first for the JD Powers luxury hospitality leader.“The robust pipeline of hotel projects indicates a continued strong demand for Ritz-Carlton products and services. We are delighted at the company’s continued positive growth,” said Herve Humler, president and chief operations officer. “Across the globe, and especially in Asia and the Middle East, we will be the undisputed top-tier luxury hospitality brand by 2016,” Humler predicted.

In the last 12 months, The Ritz-Carlton has opened three iconic properties, including Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico, The Ritz-Carlton, Abu Dhabi a beach-front resort in the capital city of The United Arab Emirates, and the brand’s first hotel in the stunning European city of Vienna in Austria.

No less than six new Ritz-Carlton hotels are scheduled to open in the last quarter of this year, including two properties in China; The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu and The Ritz-Carlton, Tianjin; The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba will add to the stunning Caribbean portfolio; and the luxury brand is slated to open in three new countries with The Ritz-Carlton, Herzliya, Israel; The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty in Kazakhstan and The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore in India.

The 2014 schedule follows with a record number of new openings including Kyoto, Japan; Nanjing, China; Rabat, Morocco; Cairo, Egypt; Manesar, India and Bali, Indonesia. By 2015, The Ritz-Carlton anticipates that it will open world-class luxury hotels and resorts in Cabo San Lucas; Oman, Muscat; Bali, Indonesia; Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; Tunis, Tunisia and Haikou, China.

Residences are also slated to open in Montreal, Canada; Herzliya, Israel and Almaty, Kazakhstan. “The growth of Residences by The Ritz-Carlton has been impressive. Affluent customers are choosing these lifestyle options because of they know that their condominiums and estate homes will be managed in the same exceptional way as our hotels.” said Humler. “Whether as a second or third home, or a primary residence, it is a great testimony to the affinity our customers have for The Ritz-Carlton.”

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., has signed an agreement with Nisantasi Konaklama ve Otel Hizmetleri A.S. (Demsa Group) to open a St. Regis hotel in Istanbul. Set to open in the first half of 2014, The St. Regis Istanbul will mark the debut of the luxury brand in Turkey and extend Starwood’s presence in the country. Located in the sophisticated Nisantasi neighborhood in the Sisli district on the European side of the city, The St. Regis Istanbul will offer easy access to chic boutiques, restaurants and cafes, and important landmarks including the Istanbul Congress Center and Taksim Square. Designed by award-winning Turkish architect Emre Arolat, the new-build hotel will overlook Maçka Park and the Bosphorus. The St. Regis Istanbul will have 118 rooms, of which four suites will feature custom interiors by world-renowned designers, as well as an exceptional presidential suite spanning approximately 2,000 square feet.
Renowned hallmarks of the St. Regis brand that will be available at the hotel include signature St. Regis Butler Service, providing anticipatory service and customizing each stay according to specific tastes and preferences. Culinary offerings will provide a sophisticated ambiance, including a brasserie-style restaurant which is set to become the new social and meeting address in Nisantasi. The rooftop restaurant will provide an unforgettable experience, while the lobby bar will be ideal for an intimate cocktail. The hotel will feature a spa, fitness center, as well as a business center, meeting rooms and a ballroom.

Later in 2013, Starwood will open its 10th hotel in Turkey with the Sheraton Adana Hotel, making Turkey one of the largest markets in Europe for the Sheraton brand. Scheduled openings in 2014 include The St. Regis Istanbul and the Sheraton Samsun Hotel. Starwood’s expanding footprint in Turkey is in tandem with the country’s continued growth as a tourist magnet and also as an event, business and financial center.

On October 10th, leading Japanese hospitality company Fujita Kanko Inc. will open its 30th Washington Hotel in Hiroshima, Japan. An excellent addition to the reasonably-priced modern hotels offered by the company’s Washington Hotels group, the new Hiroshima Washington Hotel will deliver convenience, comfort and efficiency to business and leisure travelers.Ideally located in the center of Hiroshima City, capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, the hotel’s 266 guest rooms, all with free wi-fi, and a restaurant will occupy ten floors (4th-14th) of the new construction. Restaurants and shops occupy the first three floors.

To promote Hiroshima designers, Fujita Kanko held a contest to design rooms featuring Hiroshima. Three were selected to design their one-of-a-kind rooms for the hotel.
The hotel also boasts a female-guests-only floor accessed by a special key for extra security. The rooms feature amenities and decor to meet the specific needs of female guests.

Hiroshima Prefecture, in Japan’s Chugoku region, offers diverse scenic beauty throughout its 100+ islands in the Seto Inland Sea and the Chugoku Mountains. Its famous cuisine includes oysters and “okonomiyaki,” a traditional savory Japanese pancake. Hiroshima’s two World Heritage sites attract visitors from around the world: the A-Bomb Dome, a 15-minute walk from the hotel, and the historic Miyajima Itsukushima shrine. The city itself embodies the liveliness of a major Japanese metropolis mixed with a rich history.

“The hotel is a three-minute walk from the Hatchobori train station, with four streetcar lines spreading in all directions,” said Shinichi Tamai, the hotel’s general manger. “Hiroshima City has the biggest streetcar network in Japan that provides an excellent way to see the city, including spots such as Hiroshima Castle.”

Pullman, assisted by eight renowned architects*, continues the brand’s architectural revolution with the renovation of its five Parisian properties (La Défense, Bercy, Charles de Gaulle Airport, Montparnasse and Tour Eiffel). After introducing the Pullman Paris La Defense’s new look in March 2013, the brand has now unveiled the revamped Pullman Paris Bercy. This hotel, located in the heart of a Paris neighborhood that features both a business district and a village atmosphere, offers the best of the Pullman experience. Its restaurant, “L’Esprit du 12ème”, which has been entirely redesigned, and its bar, are among East Paris’ favorite hot spots for business gatherings and relaxing get-togethers.The Pullman Paris Bercy has just undergone six months of refurbishment. Architecture and design firm JOI Design oversaw the renovation of its rooms and suites, while its public areas and restaurant were redesigned by interior designers Designsquared.

The hotel is strategically located in the center of the pedestrian Bercy Village neighborhood, close to La Bastille and the capital’s large stations, Gare de Lyon and Gare d’Austerlitz. It is a stone’s throw from La Grande Bibliothèque and just a few minutes from central Paris by metro. The hotel provides easy and fast access to the capital’s key sites for both business and leisure guests.

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The Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group (FMTG) officially launched its latest glittering city hotel today, with architect Matteo Thun in attendance. The Falkensteiner Hotel Wien Margareten has been designed to four-star superior standards. The opening ceremony also marks the start of a new initiative for Falkensteiner’s premium city hotels.The FMTG has combined modern elements with a laid-back Viennese style in the new Falkensteiner Hotel Wien Margareten. CEO Dr Otmar Michaeler is particularly excited about the latest addition to Falkensteiner Hotel family: “Our new hotel in Vienna, which has been built to four-star superior standards, is our second city hotel project, in which we consciously focus on creating unique and flamboyant design and architecture. We recruited two creative visionaries in internationally acclaimed architects David Chipperfield, who designed the façade, and Matteo Thun, who was responsible for the interior, as we want this hotel to set an example for future city hotel projects. Alongside the design, the service concept has also been revised and streamlined. Combined with the company’s values and success factors, we have created a solid basis for further expansion in the city hotels sector.”

Manager Carl-Peter Echtermeijer is keen for his hotel to make an impression in his Grätzl (neighbourhood). He highlights the accessible central location: “We want to be accessible to the residents of the trendy fifth district. We hope that the hotel’s events will become an established part of the Viennese scene.”

Star architect Matteo Thun conceived the interior design as an exciting architectural fusion of Biedermeier and modernism: “The hotel’s relaxed interior is in keeping with the requirements of the location and reflects the charm of the traditional Margaretengürtel district. The primary idea was to transpose the glamour and classicism of old Vienna to the modern day.”

The 195 rooms and suites take guests on an architectural journey through time from the Biedermeier period to the modern day. The hotel provides a high level of functionality and a perfect environment for business travellers, along with a convenient city-centre location for tourists. The hotel’s City SPA with rooftop terrace is a relaxing oasis of calm. The lobby bar “Nepomuk” and the restaurant “Danhauser” serve typical Falkensteiner cuisine with a Viennese twist. The Falkensteiner Hotel Wien Margareten is in a central location not far from the Vienna State Opera, Ringstraße, and Kärntnerstraße. The Naschmarkt is a short walk away. Also located nearby are Margaretengürtel U4 metro station (approx. 3 min. walk) and Margaretengürtel tram station for lines 6 and 18 (approx. 5 min. walk).

August Highlights
• That Olympic Effect Reviewed in Full
• 2013 – The Year of the Provincial Profit?

The Autograph Collection has recently announced the debut of the Powerscourt Hotel in County Wicklow, Ireland, representing the first Autograph Collection hotel in Ireland. Earlier this year, Autograph Collection announced its continued growth in Europe with the inauguration of the St. Ermin’s Hotel and Threadneedles in the heart of London, and The Glasshouse in Edinburgh, Scotland. The five star Powerscourt Hotel will expand the collection of independent lifestyle hotels to include nearly 50 exceptional travel experiences in the United States, Asia, Europe, Caribbean, and South America.The iconic Powerscourt Hotel is set near the village of Enniskerry, only 25 minutes from Dublin City centre and 35 minutes from Dublin airport, amidst one of the most scenic and historic estates in Ireland. The elegant retreat showcases Palladian-style architecture and offers guests a host of luxurious amenities including a 20-metre Swarovski crystal-lit indoor pool. Additionally, the hotel features two championship level golf courses and a 30,000-square foot luxury spa by ESPA. With an emphasis on local excellence and seasonality, the new Sika Restaurant at Powerscourt Hotel offers the best of Irish contemporary cooking against a spectacular backdrop of Wicklow’s hills and mountains.

The Powerscourt Hotel is owned by Brehon Capital Partners and Midwest Holding and managed by Interstate Hotels & Resorts, a leading U.S. based global hotel management company. Chief Executive Officer Jim Abrahamson is eager to support the iconic hotel, stating, “Interstate’s qualified bench strength, best-of-world systems and dedicated teams promise a memorable experience for every guest.”

Novotel New York Times Square has unveiled a dramatic renovation of its centrally-located address. More metamorphosis than mere makeover, this property is the first hotel in Times Square to undergo a large-scale redesign. Its striking room upgrades, the new restaurant, Supernova, and the exclusive outdoor Terrace offer unparalleled views of Times Square. The hotel aims to emerge as a go-to destination for both travellers and locals who long to be where the action is, thanks to its electric atmosphere. After an exciting $85 million revamp financed by the owners, the real-estate asset management companies Chartres Lodging Group LLC, Apollo Global Management LLC, and Lubert-Adler Partners. Led by the design firm Stonehill & Taylor, the complete renovation of Accor’s Novotel brand’s North American flagship creates an inviting ambiance in the heart of the city.

Grégoire Champetier, Global Chief Marketing & Distribution Officer of Accor said: “The metamorphosis of this property demonstrates Novotel’s ability to constantly reinvent itself. Through its powerful worldwide network of 400 hotels, located in strategic locations, Novotel remains one step ahead in its concepts, in order to anticipate and fit business and leisure new consumer trends. This French pioneer brand was born and raised with an audacious and innovative mindset. Nowadays, Novotel – and this iconic property in particular – keeps this spirit alive and continues to promote innovation as a way of life”.

Marc Sternagel, General Manager of the Novotel New York Times Square hotel, added: “We’re thrilled to debut the ‘new’ Novotel New York today. The revived look of the hotel, combined with Supernova restaurant and our stunning Terrace, offers locals and visitors alike a reason to create their own New York memories.”

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® has recently announced that its rapidly expanding Aloft brand has arrived in Panama, one of the most important travel markets in the Americas. Aloft Panama is the fourth Aloft hotel to open in Latin America, since the brand made its debut less than two years ago. It is owned and operated by Nuevos Hoteles de Panama S.A. under a franchise agreement. Aloft Panama offers 139 spacious loft-like rooms, tech forward innovation and a buzzing, social atmosphere. By 2014, it will offer an additional 186 rooms as part of an expansion phase. Panama is one of the most dynamic travel markets in the Americas, with a high-demand of business travel and an increasing number of leisure tourism. Strategically, Panama is an important market for Starwood. Following this opening, Starwood will operate five brands in the country, including Aloft, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, Le Meridien and Westin, and will extend its footprint to eight hotels.

Aloft Panama is adjacent to Sheraton Panama and Convention Center and strategically located across the city’s ATLAPA Convention Center and is approximately 5 KM from downtown and the financial center, making it an ideal choice for savvy business travelers. Amenities include an outdoor SplashSM pool, W XYZsm bar, RE:FUEL by Aloft, its 24/7 pantry for self-service light meals and snacks with healthy options, and RE:CHARGE, Aloft’s 24/7 gym, and nearly 5,800 square feet of flexible meeting space ideal for both business meetings and social gatherings.

Pioneering initiatives in music, design, and technology have positioned Aloft as a must-have brand for the next generation of travelers. Aloft has reported consistently high guest satisfaction scores since launch, reflecting the success of its modern and vibrant design at an affordable price point.

The opening of Aloft Panama will mark Starwood’s fourth Aloft hotel in Latin America following the opening of Aloft Cancun, opened in July; Aloft San Jose, Costa Rica in 2012 and Aloft Bogota in 2011. Four more hotels are slated to open, including Aloft Guadalajara in 2013; Aloft Merida in 2014; and Aloft Montevideo and Aloft Asuncion in 2015.

Sandals Resorts International (SRI), parent company of Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts and Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts, will open the doors to its newest and most contemporary Luxury Included® resort, Sandals LaSource Grenada Resort & Spa, in December 2013. Conveniently located only minutes from Maurice Bishop International airport, Sandals LaSource Grenada will boast a total of 231 rooms housed within three distinct villages: Pink Gin, Italian and Balinese. The resort’s accommodations, dining options, attractions and amenities will include:

Pink Gin Village: Exuding a serene, tropical ambiance, the resort’s Pink Gin Village will be comprised of two existing blocks of rooms refurbished with custom-built, contemporary furniture, elegant Turkish marble floors and lavish amenities. One block will boast 70 oceanfront rooms, including walkout rooms, while the second block will include 30 luxurious junior suites. Additionally, all bathrooms will be completely redesigned to be modern and exposed with transitioning wall art to customise privacy. Guests of the Pink Gin Village will have easy access to the resort’s gorgeous stretch of white sand beach, a new zero-entry infinity pool, expanded and renovated lobby, which will include the departure lounge, Club Sandals Concierge, gift shop, wedding lounge, SnapShots photography, Island Routes Tours desk, and the resort’s Red Lane® Spa with nine treatment rooms, as well as a nail and hair salon. For entertainment, guests can enjoy the multi-purpose “Living Room,” an outdoor open-air hangout featuring a bar, piano, billiards, and more.

Italian Village: Perched upon a cliff overlooking the resort and breath-taking Pink Gin Beach, the all-new five-story Italian Village will consist of 48 rooms with two exclusive river pools at the ground level. The first three floors will feature one-bedroom, split-level suites with spacious bathrooms, flat screen televisions and Japanese-style soaking tubs. The fourth and fifth floors will consist of more extravagant suites with butler pantries, showers, freestanding claw-footed bathtubs, living rooms, dressing rooms, and private infinity edge plunge pools situated on the balcony.

Balinese Village: The exotic Balinese Village is another brand new addition to the resort, consisting of the brand’s signature Rondoval suites, top-tier millionaire suites, plunge pool suites and luxury and premium rooms. Situated on the resort’s mountainside, guests staying in the Balinese Village will be able to take advantage of the nearby pool with a coveted, thatched-roof swim-up bar. The state-of-the-art millionaire suites, the highest room category, will feature private entrances, glass tile plunge pools, indoor and outdoor showers, 65-inch TVs and more. Rondoval guests will find an indoor 61-inch round tub, indoor and outdoor showers, private pool and Jacuzzi as part of their secluded accommodation.

Dining Options: Guests will be able to whet their palates at their choice of nine international, gourmet dining options, including Sandals first top-tier steakhouse called Butch’s Chophouse, named after the resort company’s founder and chairman. True to the mission of Sandals’ Discovery Dining program, internationally trained chefs will create authentic dishes that take guests on a gastronomic expedition around the world. Housed in the Pink Gin Village, Sandals LaSource Grenada’s impressive gastronomic experiences will include Soy, a sushi bar; Café De Paris, a French café; Spices, serving Caribbean cuisine; Le’Jardinier, a French restaurant; and Neptune’s, a Mediterranean beach bar. Those dining in the Tahiti Village will enjoy Kimono’s, a Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant; Cucina Romana for Italian fare; Butch’s Chophouse; and Dino’s Pizzeria.

Attractions and Amenities: When it comes to entertainment, the resort will provide plenty of options to suit any guest, whether offering themed cocktail parties, beach bonfires, or live piano music and dancing at the “Living Room.” At night, guests will also enjoy unwinding at one of Sandals’ signature fire pits romantically scattered about the resort. Another new enhancement includes a fully-equipped indoor and outdoor wellness centre complete with a state-of-the-art gym, waterfalls and reflective pools, catering to the needs of all fitness-enthusiasts with special classes and high-performance equipment. Finally, for those looking to make Grenada their temporary company office, the resort will offer over 2,000 square feet of meeting room space with advanced audio and visual capabilities.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has recently announced that it has signed an agreement with Tanriverdi Mensucat Sanayii A.S. to open a new-build Sheraton hotel in Samsun, Turkey. Scheduled to debut late 2014, Sheraton Samsun Hotel will mark Starwood’s entry into the emerging city and will be the company’s 11th hotel in Turkey. The Sheraton brand continues to grow around the globe and remains on track to open its 500th hotel by 2015. Sheraton Samsun Hotel will be ideally located in the heart of Samsun on the Black Sea coast, three kilometres from the city centre and 25 kilometres from Samsun Carsamba Airport. The hotel will feature 200 guest rooms and 20 suites, all with scenic views of the Black Sea. The 29-storey hotel will be the largest hotel and the tallest building in Samsun. The hotel is being designed by Turkish architectural firm, Piramit Mimarlik, together with Istanbul-based interior designer, Kreatif Mimarlik.

The hotel will feature an all-day dining venue, a speciality restaurant, a lobby bar, as well as a rooftop bar and lounge. Sheraton Samsun Hotel is set to become the choice gathering place for business travellers, offering extensive modern meeting and event space, including a grand ballroom, 10 meeting rooms and a business centre.

Signature Sheraton experiences will include the all-white Sweet Sleeper® beds, the Sheraton Club Rooms and Lounge, the Link@Sheraton® experienced with Microsoft® and Sheraton Fitness® by Core Performance™, designed exclusively for Sheraton guests through its partner Core Performance. The hotel will also offer the signature Sheraton Shine Spa with 10 treatment rooms, an indoor swimming pool and retail shops.

Earlier this year, the company entered Bursa with the Sheraton Bursa Hotel and Aloft Bursa Hotel, marking the entry of the fast-growing Aloft Hotels brand into Turkey. Later this year, Starwood will open its 10th hotel in Turkey with the Sheraton Adana Hotel, making Turkey one of the largest markets in Europe for the Sheraton brand.

Among the latest recruits to Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ (SLH) are new properties for 2013 and include WestHouse in New York, opening later this year, as well as the first SLH hotel in Bergamo, a private Balinese luxury estate and a Philippine island.WestHouse Hotel New York – Scheduled to open November 2013
Inspired by the beauty and glamour of the 1920s and designed to evoke a private club, WestHouse Hotel will be home to 175 impeccably designed guest rooms including 18 extraordinary suites. The next SLH hotel to open has a superb position on the West Side of Manhattan in the city’s Midtown neighbourhood and ensures easy access to Central Park, Broadway, the designer boutiques in 5th Avenue and the world-renowned MOMA.

Relais San Lorenzo, Bergamo – Opened July 2013
The first SLH property in the Italian city of Bergamo, Relais San Lorenzo is a historical residence that beautifully blends contemporary design with ancient surroundings. The hotel is cleverly entwined with the stones and brickwork of the neighbouring church and its 30 rooms and suites overlook peaceful cloisters offering a sense of history, art and culture. Ancient Roman and medieval walls encase the hotel’s unique gourmet restaurant, Hostaria, serving fine Italian and local produce alongside a bar and terrace.

Ketapang Estate, Bali – under new ownership
Ketapang is a luxury private estate made up of seven individual villas set in sprawling gardens with panoramic views of the ocean, black volcanic beach and surrounding padi fields. Each wooden villa has its own unique charm, some of which are traditional Javanese houses, or ‘joglos’. The estate has an Olympic length infinity pool facing the Indian Ocean, tennis court, spa treatments, a garden theatre for Balinese dance performances and outdoor cinema for movie nights under the stars.

Pangulasian Island Resort, El Nido, Philippines – Opened October 2012. New to SLH portfolio
Pangalusian is the latest island to join Small Luxury Hotels of the World™, located in Bacuit Bay and known as the ‘Island of the Sun’. The resort has 42 individual villas spread across the island on either the white powder beach, on stilts above the forest or with their own private pool. The island’s marine sanctuary make it a diver’s paradise, while those that prefer to stay on land can follow the island’s nature trails to discover the native flora and fauna. There’s also a library, infinity pool with beach bar, Scuba Shack, marine sports centre and Clubhouse restaurant serving fresh, local and sustainable produce.

Three new dining venues are to be opened in October 2013 by Centara Hotels & Resorts at two of the company’s newly opened properties in Bangkok.CHYNA is located at Centra Central Station Hotel Bangkok, which is near to Hua Lamphong mainline railway terminus, and has spectacular views over Chinatown and the city.

The restaurant will have a capacity of 150 guests, with two private dining rooms and two outside balconies.

Authentic Cantonese cuisine will be served in a contemporary fashion, with an extensive list of creative desserts, and a Tea Bar with a large array of Chinese teas.

Signature dishes will include salt and pepper deep-fried snow fish, deep-fried chicken Hong Kong-style with mixed fruits salad, and steamed young coconut milk with bird nest.

Centara Watergate Pavillion Hotel Bangkok is located in the centre of the city’s fashion and garments district, Pratunam, and has two new outlets.

CHILI HIP will be a Thai restaurant offering authentic Thai cuisine and selected Asian specialties, served in a contemporary manner.

Located at an open air space on the 20th floor of the hotel, the restaurant will have a casual, fun ambience for guests of all ages.

Capacity will be 62 seats, and a private and air-conditioned dining room will be able to seat six guests and offer a personal service.

The restaurant’s signature dishes will include tiger prawns with spicy pork, and The Chili Domes, while signature drinks include Red Chill and Tom Khar Martini.

Also at Centara Watergate Pavillion Hotel is WALK, a rooftop open-air sky lounge on the 21st floor offering outstanding views of the city.

LED lighting accentuates the roof space, including a bar serving all manner of drinks, and there will be a DJ station with music each night.

Snacks and light meals will be served from CHILI HIP, directly below, with signature dishes including chunky ratatouille tarts, and a Thai version of fish & chips. Signature drinks will include Spicy Kraffelime, and Tom Yam on the Rocks.

Wines and champagnes can be served by the glass, and there will be creative and ever changing nightly themed offerings and events designed to create a party atmosphere high above the city streets.

GB Lodging, LLC a New York based hotel investment, development and asset management firm, and Provenance Hotels, a hotel owner, operator and management company based in Portland, Ore., have partnered to purchase of the Ambassador Hotel in New Orleans. Both companies have significant equity commitments to the project and will collaborate on a renovation of the hotel that will embrace the Ambassador’s one-of-a-kind location in a former 19th century coffee warehouse and celebrate the soul of New Orleans. The historic 165 room Ambassador Hotel is located steps from the trendy Arts District, the central business district and Harrah’s Casino as well as within easy walking distance of the French Quarter and the New Orleans Morial Convention Center. The purchase of the property for an undisclosed price is the first joint acquisition by GB Lodging and Provenance Hotels. With this purchase, the Ambassador becomes the fifth hotel in GB Lodging’s portfolio and, when Provenance takes over operations of the hotel post-renovation, it will be the seventh hotel under their management.

“With its deep independent experience and strong track record in the lifestyle space, we’re delighted to partner with Provenance Hotels, an operator who is uniquely suited to offer an intensely local experience at this terrific location. We are eager to become part of New Orleans’ renaissance and anticipate the renovation’s completion in the fall of 2014,” said Bruce Blum, President and Co-Founder of GB Lodging.

“Partnering with GB Lodging is a natural given our shared vision for this historic property. With their history of repositioning success in the lifestyle space and the resources that they will bring to bear on this project, we’re excited to create the Big Easy’s next great hotel destination” said Bashar Wali, President of Provenance Hotels.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has recently announced the debut of Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph, adding this cosmopolitan Midwest city to Le Méridien brand’s rapidly expanding global portfolio. Owned by The Pizzuti Companies and operated by Wischermann Partners, the new build 10-story hotel will offer 135 modern rooms with all of the Paris-born brand’s signature amenities and services. Located in the Short North Arts District, the city’s cultural centre, Le Méridien Columbus is slated to open in early 2015, and today’s ground-breaking ceremony, attended by representatives from Pizzuti, Starwood, and Wischermann Partners, marked the start of construction for not only Le Méridien Columbus but also the office and retail building and parking garage that make up Pizzuti’s The Joseph mixed-use development project. Le Méridien Columbus will feature a full-service restaurant, signature bar, two deluxe spa suites, and 1,200 square foot 24-hour fitness centre. The hotel will be equipped with nearly 8,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting and event space, perfect for social occasions and business functions.

Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph will feature a two-story signature Le Méridien Hub™ experience, which re-interprets the traditional lobby into a social gathering place for creative people to converse, debate, and exchange. The Le Méridien Columbus Hub will offer both guests and locals a creative atmosphere where contemporary, curated artwork from the famed Pizzuti Collection will set the environment. Le Méridien Hub further builds on the brand’s award-winning arrival experience and coffee culture. Le Méridien arrival consists of four elements: large-scale artwork in high impact areas to reset the mind and stimulate dialogue and curiosity; the sensory experience, illustrated through Le Méridien signature scent, sound and use of light, creating a unique and distinctive atmosphere; UNLOCK ART™ programme, featuring LM100 ™ artist designed key card collections that not only offer access to the guestroom but also to Le Méridien affiliated contemporary cultural centres in the city; and a 24-hour curated soundtrack.

Le Méridien Columbus will anchor a highly anticipated, new mixed-use Joseph development complex that is slated to open in 2014 and will include a six-story, cubist-inspired office building with 60,000 square feet of premium office and retail space, a 313-space parking garage adjacent to the office building, and the Pizzuti Collection, which houses the contemporary art collection of Ron Pizzuti, founder and CEO of The Pizzuti Companies, and will open September 7, 2013. Pizzuti announced in July that women’s apparel and accessory retailer Anthropologie will occupy approximately 9,800 square feet on the first two floors of the office/retail building.

Economy hotel group ibis expands its offer in the Midlands with the opening of the ibis Styles Birmingham Centre hotel.

The 120-bedroom hotel is located in the heart of the city centre and close to major transport links, just a 10 minute walk from Birmingham New Street station and nine miles from Birmingham Airport.The National Indoor Arena, International Convention Centre, business district and restaurants, bars and shopping centres are also a short walk away, making the hotel the ideal choice for both business and leisure guests looking for a stylish stay for an all-inclusive price.

The all-inclusive offer includes an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, with a choice of fruit juices, tea, coffee, fresh pastries, cereals and fruits, free WiFi, and little extra’s including newspapers and complimentary tea and coffee.

Two meeting rooms with capacity for 30 guests are available with complimentary WiFi internet access and air conditioning. Video equipment is also available for hire.

Commenting on the new ibis Styles Birmingham Centre, Thomas Dubaere, Senior Vice President ibis Brands Northern Europe, said, “We are very excited to be opening the Ibis Styles Birmingham Centre. Ibis Styles hotels are uniquely designed and this hotel really stands out in the city. It is a great addition to the rapidly growing network for the brand and we look forward to welcoming business and leisure guests to the hotel.”

Centara Hotels & Resorts has announced that it will further expand its presence in Phuket by the addition of a second Centra value brand hotel on the island, signing a management contract for a new property that is being built in Bangtao.Centara, Thailand’s largest operator of hotels, has four of its brands in Phuket, extending its reach across a range of tourism market segments.

The management contract was signed at the Centara head office in Bangkok on 24 July with owning company Adler Group Co Ltd, with the opening expected during August 2016.

The new hotel will be named Centra Bangtao Resort Phuket.

“Bangtao is set on one of Phuket’s longest beaches,” says Thirayuth Chirathivat, Chief Executive Officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts. “This part of the island has become very popular with visitors, and we are delighted to be opening a hotel here.

“This gives us the opportunity to expand the range of our Centra brand in Phuket, where we at present have one other Centra property, at Patong, which is very successful.

“The new hotel will be our eighth property on the island, which indicates the strength of our confidence in Phuket as a world-class tourism destination.”

Suthikiati Chirathivat, Chairman of the Board of Centara Hotels & Resorts has signed a hotel management contract with Punnchalee Laothumthut, Company Director of Adler Group Co Ltd for Centara to manage Centra Bangtao Resort Phuket. The signing took place at M23, Centara Grand at CentralWorld. Joining the ceremony were Thirayuth Chirathivat, Dr Ronnachit Mahattanapreut, Thirakiati Chirathivat, Suparat Chirathivat, and Prapharat Tangkawattana.

Thailand’s leading hotel operator, Centara Hotels & Resorts, is to open its first property on the African continent following the signing of a management contract for Centara Grand Addis Ababa Hotel Ethiopia.The contract was signed in Centara’s head office in Bangkok on 29 July 2013 with developers Yencomad Construction Plc, represented by Mr Yemeru Nega, Ms Mekdes Ayele and Mr Asamnew Barega Birgane.

The hotel is under construction and is expected to open in December 2017.

Centara Hotels & Resorts is following a policy for growth in the Indian Ocean region and strategic destinations in Africa. The company opened its first resort in Mauritius early this year, and will be opening a second under its premium five-star brand in December.

Centara Grand Addis Ababa Hotel Ethiopia is a new-build property, located on 6,742 square metres of land at Africa Avenue. As part of Centara’s premium five-star brand, the hotel will have at least 300 rooms, three restaurants and one bar, and extensive meeting and banqueting facilities. A Spa Cenvaree, fitness club, swimming pool and kids’ club will all be featured.

The signing took place at M23, Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld.

Award-winning hotel group Tune Hotels, continues to expand in Indonesia with the opening of its latest hotel in Solo, Central Java. Tune Hotel Solo opened on 30th August and represents the brand’s fifth property in Indonesia, following Kuta and Legian, Bali, Pasar Baru and Pekanbaru.The 159 room Tune Hotel Solo is centrally located in Jalan Sopomo, the heart of Solo, within minutes to historical and cultural attractions such as the Kasunanan and Mangkunegaran Palaces, the Danar Hadi Museum and a variety of shopping options. Known for being a batik haven, the hotel is also nearby to batik villages such as Kampoeng Batik Kauman and Kampoeng Batik Laweyan that showcases the process of batik making, as well as the production of the many forms of batik ranging from garments to handicraft souvenirs.

Solo is one of the fastest developing economic centres of Indonesia, a city that still preserves its tradition despite modernisation. A favourite tourist destination of the country, Solo is a leading educational and cultural hub of the nation. Tourists can take part in excursions to various exciting destinations or shop in the city and taste the local delicacies in the numerous restaurants and café.

Travelodge, the UK’s first budget hotel company, has today announced that is creating 150 new jobs in the lead up to Christmas 2013.

Of these roles, 110 jobs are being created through the opening of five new Travelodge hotels between now and the end of the year. These new hotels are in Manchester, Southport, Crawley, London Walthamstow and Chertsey.The recruitment drive for these new hotels has started today and includes Receptionist, Housekeeper, Guest Room Cleaner and Bar Café roles.

On top of these positions, Travelodge is also looking for 20 Hotel Managers and Assistant Hotel Managers to manage hotels across England, Scotland and Wales. These include positions in some of the company’s biggest and busiest hotels, such as Bristol and Bath.

The remaining 20 jobs are for positions at Travelodge’s head office in Thame, Oxfordshire, in the following departments: IT, Customer Services, Finance and Public Relations.

Jon Hendry Pickup, Chief Operating Officer for Travelodge said: “For anyone who is committed to delivering a first class customer experience, we could well have the perfect career through one of these 150 jobs.

“At Travelodge we are totally committed to developing our people, and we offer a range of further education and training opportunities across the business. Our bespoke in-house management programme offers a direct route into management, and to date nearly 500 Travelodge employees have graduated into a management position this way. With Travelodge you don’t just get a job, but a long-term career within a growing company that’s part of a dynamic industry.”

As part of their induction training, new staff members undertake a comprehensive four week training programme at a nearby Travelodge hotel. They also attend a sleep seminar to ensure they are fully equipped to ensure their customers get a good night’s sleep.

For a career at Travelodge, please contact your local Job Centre Plus or pop into your local hotel and pick up an application form.

For further information on careers at Travelodge visit: www.travelodge.co.uk/careers

A new initiative called StepJockey has just been launched, backed by the Department of Health via the Small Business Research Initiative, with the aim of tackling obesity and strengthening the hearts of office workers and commuters.As with all the best ideas it’s an amazingly simple concept – once you have entered the stairs’ address on the StepJockey website it will calculate exactly how many calories you’ll burn climbing them. Stairs burn more calories than you think and by rating them it could not only help keep yourself fit but inspire others too.

Mark Bartlett, Managing Director of Signbox, comments, “We are delighted to have been chosen by StepJockey as their sign partner. Whilst free signs can be printed off from the StepJockey website we are sure many companies will opt for ordering a more permanent and stylish looking ‘smart sign’ that can be wall mounted at the foot of the relevant stairs.

“These are smart in more ways than one – not only do they look great, clearly showing the number of calories burned, but they also feature next generation NFC technology – stairs users can “tap” the sign with their NFC enabled smartphone and it will download an app that enables them to track their calorie burn and progress, set goals and even compete with work colleagues”.

StepJockey was founded by Helen Nuki, a behavioural economics expert and mother of four, who had the idea after her seven-year-old daughter wondered why official signs “only tell you about the things that are bad for you”.

Helen comments, “StepJockey is about looking at the positive and promoting fitness for everyone a little bit at a time.

“Stair climbing is a surprisingly powerful form of exercise and it has benefits that go far beyond weight loss. You burn about a calorie for every ten steps you climb and scientific studies show regular stair climbing can reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke as well as improving aerobic and muscular skeletal fitness.”

The StepJockey website and app has been cleverly devised so that any set of stairs can be mapped and rated for calorie burn in seconds.

Once stairs are rated free posters that display calorie burn information, along with health messages, can be printed off from the website. Alternatively, companies can order more sophisticated ‘smart signs’. The intelligent design of the signage has been created in conjunction with Signbox, the award-winning sign manufacturer.

Proof that StepJockey signs actively encourage people to take the stairs rather than use a lift or escalator comes from extensive pre-launch trials that showed stair climbing increased by up to 29% when the building was equipped with the StepJockey smart signs. When office workers were able to track and “gamify” their stair climbing, stair use jumped by over 500%.

StepJockey is available to companies and organisations who want to build the initiative into their existing health and wellbeing plans for employees. For more information visit the Signbox stand (number O240) at 100% Design (Earls Court, London 18-21 September 2013) or go to: www.stepjockey.com.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announces the opening of the Holiday Inn Express® Hotel & Suites Phoenix North/Scottsdale. The four-story 104-room hotel adds to IHG’s portfolio in the Phoenix and Scottsdale areas. The hotel is located at 4575 E. Irma Lane at the intersection of Loop 101 & Tatum Blvd. in Scottsdale, Ariz.All 104 rooms at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Phoenix North/Scottsdale are equipped with refrigerators and microwave ovens. Guests can take advantage of a variety of amenities such as a swimming pool and a meeting room that can accommodate up 32 attendees. The new hotel offers guests a comfortable, yet affordable, stay with innovative, preferred guest upgrades to ensure a pleasurable experience with amenities that include a 24-hour fitness center, complimentary high-speed Internet access and a business center with PC computers. Business travelers will find large desks with ergonomic chairs, free local phone and toll free, phones with private voicemail and complimentary USA TODAY® newspapers.

Guest rooms feature contemporary styling, a 32-inch HD flat screen TV, comfortable queen or king-sized beds, a sitting area with a lounge chair and an in-room coffee machine featuring complimentary Smart Roast 100% Arabica coffee. Guest bathrooms feature the SimplySmart™ shower, which incorporates a proprietary Stay Smart™ Kohler showerhead and a signature shower curtain with curved rod. Upgraded 100 percent cotton terry towels and Bath & Body Works White Citrus bath products are also included. Guests will enjoy the SimplySmart™ bedding collection, where they will find crisp fresh bedding that features an attractive decorative throw, a medium-weight duvet blanket and soft, 200 thread-count sheets.

The Holiday Inn Express Phoenix North/Scottsdale, owned and managed by Kuber Hotel Group is franchised by an affiliate of IHG.

Marriott Vacation Club has announced the “topping-out” of the third, 37-story tower at Marriott’s Grand Chateau. Located at 75 East Harmon Avenue just off the world famous Las Vegas Strip, the “topping-out” development milestone signifies the structural completion of the third tower since breaking ground just over 13 months ago. With an anticipated first occupancy of mid-2014, the third tower will add 223 one-, two- and three-bedroom villas for a total of 643 villas at the property.The topping-out of the 37-story tower took just over 56 weeks with nearly 250 workers on-site each day led by General Contractor, Tutor Perini Building Corporation. In total, approximately 2,300 truckloads of concrete, 210 miles of electrical wiring and 3.5 million pounds of reinforcing steel were used to construct the 37-story structure. After completing the foundation and 3-level parking deck, the villa floors were poured at a rate of one floor per week leading up to the final pour of the rooftop and the topping-out milestone.

MVW – Grand Chateau Tower 3 Topping OutThe third tower villas designed in a contemporary style, will range in size from approximately 810 to 2,070 square feet and offer fully equipped kitchens, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and custom cabinets. Each villa has generous living and dining areas; luxurious bedding; multiple flat-panel LED televisions with Blu-ray DVD players; washer/dryer and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. Three-bedroom villas can accommodate 10 guests.

The third tower will add additional amenities for Owners and guests such as a lobby lounge, a billiards area with electronic game tables and a Marketplace featuring specialty coffees and gourmet sandwiches and salads. The fifth floor will provide access to a larger second pool with two whirlpool spas and a pool bar and grill.

Roomzzz Aparthotel have announced they are investing a further £3M into Newcastle and expanding their existing site in the heritage district of Clavering Place to meet with customer demand. Expansion will take form as a further 60 new build suites which will incorporate the original Georgian townhouse, Friar House.
Mark Walton Head of Roomzzz Aparthotel comments ‘Roomzzz Aparthotel has given Clavering Place a remarkable new lease of life – it is a beautiful area and we are proud to be a successful influence in the City’s regeneration, our Aparthotel has attracted a new footfall into the City and has certainly created a lot of awareness for the area and the City as a whole.’

Roomzzz have been delighted with the response to their fifth location – which was the brand’s first property in the North East. Walton remarks ‘we are experiencing not only a very high level of repeat business, but we are finding that our guests would not usually stay in Newcastle – but as fans of the Roomzzz brand they are willing to make the effort to journey to the City for our incentives as well as our quality of accommodation for both business and leisure stays. We are exceedingly pleased with the level of loyalty our brand commands and we would like to think that the famed North East hospitality has played an important part in endearing our customers to the City.’

Friar House was one of Newcastle’s most historic and celebrated City heirloom residences which Roomzzz nurtured and brought to life back from years of neglect to be one of the North’s most exciting, luxurious yet affordable new hotel experiences which was applauded by the Times and features as a top recommendation in their ‘Cool Hotel Guide’.

Phase 1 saw 12 months and £5M invested on an extensive restoration of Friar House which opened late 2012. Roomzzz presented a majestic detached Georgian townhouse as the latest hotel in their portfolio.

Friar House once belonged to a 19th Century ‘celebrity socialite’ Sir Robert Hopper Williamson who as Recorder of Newcastle and chancellor of Durham was considered amongst the elite of the North East and one of the most important men in the area. The restoration of the property and history of the scheme attracted and brought both Regional and National media interest onto the City.

Phase 2 is to start early autumn 2013. Walton comments ‘our further investment into Newcastle illustrates our commitment to provide quality across the board for both the City and our guests – phase 2 will allow us to attract more visitors to the City and to meet with demand that our current customers are putting on us to provide more high quality affordable accommodation in the City.

The 12th September marked the opening of Ian Schrager’s latest project, The London EDITION. Returning to London for the first time in 15 years, since he introduced Sanderson and St. Martins Lane, the hotel is the latest from EDITION Hotels, the brand Ian conceived in a partnership with Marriott International. EDITION Hotels combines the personal, intimate, individualised and unique hotel experience that Schrager is known for, with the global reach, operational expertise and scale of Marriott. This delicate balancing act encompasses not only great design and true innovation, but also personal, friendly, modern service as well as outstanding, one-of-a-kind food, beverage and entertainment offerings ‘all under one roof’. The heightened experience, authenticity and originality that Ian Schrager brings to this new brand coupled with the global reach of Marriott results in a truly distinct product that sets itself apart from anything else currently in the marketplace.

As with all EDITION hotels, each one is a cultural epicentre and a microcosm of the best each city has to offer. Each is a portal into the essence of the city. The London EDITION preserves the finest aspects of the historic, landmark building—formerly the Berners Hotel—but reinvents the spaces within to create a dynamic fusion of old and new, past and present. This results in a look and feel that cannot be pigeonholed into a specific time period or look and is incapable of definition or categorisation.

’It’s a different reality,’ is how Schrager summarises The London EDITION, whose influences span three centuries, fusing the best of those ages into a multi-faceted jewel of a hotel glittering at the very heart of London town.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has recently announced the signing of Aloft Kiev, which will mark the entrance of Aloft Hotels into Ukraine when it opens in 2015. Created to shake up the staid and traditional mid-market hotel sector, Aloft is redefining the category with its different by design approach to style and a vibrant social guest experience, at an affordable price point. Aloft Kiev will be centrally located in the Central Business District (CBD), in close proximity to numerous business establishments, and public, retail, sports, culture and entertainment venues.

Pioneering initiatives in music, design, and technology have positioned Aloft as a must-have brand for the next generation of travellers. Aloft has reported consistently high guest satisfaction scores since its launch in 2008 and is gaining market share and building traveller loyalty, reflecting the success of the brand’s unique positioning.

The new-build Aloft Kiev will comprise 310 guest rooms and 10 executive suites all featuring the brand’s signature high ceilings, oversized windows and an ultra-comfortable platform bed as well as large walk-in showers with complimentary Bliss Spa® products.

The hotel will also feature the brand’s signature Re:mixSM lounge and W XYZ SM bar, providing guests with buzzing, atmospheric public spaces where they can mix and mingle, read the paper, work on laptops, play a game of pool or grab a drink with friends. The Re:chargeSM fitness centre will offer an opportunity to re-energise and the unique Re:fuel by AloftSM will introduce a convenient deli option for guests on the go, with an array of sweet, savoury and healthy food, snacks and drinks available 24 hours a day. The hotel will also offer an all day dining restaurant and for meetings and events, the hotel will offer eight creative meeting spaces and one ballroom, all equipped with the latest generation of audio-visual hardware, as well as parking facilities. The hotel is located very close to public transportation, allowing for easy access to the city’s business and historical center, and is also within walking distance of various cultural sites, shopping and entertainment facilities.

The opening of Aloft Kiev will mark Starwood’s third hotel in Ukraine following the opening of a Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Zaporozhye in 2011 and the signings of Hotel Bristol, a Luxury Collection hotel in Odessa, which is due to open in 2014, and a new Sheraton hotel in Kiev, which is scheduled to open in 2016.

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announces the debut of The St. Regis Abu Dhabi in the capital of the U.A.E, marking the brand’s second hotel in Abu Dhabi and third St. Regis hotel to open in the Middle East since the brand was introduced into the region two years ago. Having more than doubled its global footprint in the last five years to 31 hotels, St. Regis continues to reinforce its position as a leader in luxury hospitality. The St. Regis Abu Dhabi features 283 sumptuously-appointed guest rooms, including 55 elegant suites, all offering panoramic waterfront views of the Arabian Gulf. Designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) together with local designers, the hotel’s understated interiors were inspired by the region’s rich heritage and the St. Regis brand’s legacy: designed with the colours of the local sands, the traditional cuisine and souks in mind, HBA has imagined a luxurious setting in Abu Dhabi that is steeped in a sophisticated Art Deco past.

The extravagant Abu Dhabi Suite is positioned a lofty 650 feet above ground between the two towers and offering magnificent panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf, the Corniche and the city skyline. Spanning over 11,600 square feet, the suite combines contemporary design with a traditional Arabic influence. The opulent suite features cascading strands of crystals, 24-carat gold leaf accents, leather wall tiles, jewel-toned velvet upholstered walls and intricate glass mosaic patterns. The Abu Dhabi Suite features three bedrooms, a grand majlis with a soaring ceiling, luxurious spa and movie theatre as well as a kitchen, dining room, fully-equipped gym and private elevator access.

The St. Regis Abu Dhabi offers eight culinary venues including Rhodes 44, the first restaurant in Abu Dhabi by famed Michelin-starred chef Gary Rhodes. The hotel also introduces Villa Toscana serving regional specialties from Tuscany, Umbria and Emilia-Romagna in Italy. Guests may also enjoy unique dining experiences at Crystal Lounge, Cafe44, The Tea Lounge, Azura, Spa Café and the St. Regis Bar, which follows in the tradition of the St. Regis brand’s iconic New York hotel bar and which will have its own signature Bloody Mary cocktail incorporating ingredients native to the region.

The hotel has over 32,200 square feet of leisure facilities, including the indulgent Remède Spa for ladies, two outdoor swimming pools and the first Hommage Gentleman’s Grooming Atelier in the UAE. Guests can enjoy private access to the hotel’s Nation Riviera Beach Club, which is poised to become one of the most sought-after leisure destinations in Abu Dhabi when it opens later this year. Ideal for special celebrations and functions, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi also offers approximately 52,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting and event space.

Do all Rock Stars go to Heaven? If they do, here at the Hard Rock Vallarta they have given you a taste of what that heaven just might be like. Hard rock edge, sexy finishes, beautiful design, and interesting pieces make up the Rock Star Suite.As you enter the Rock Star Suite through the angel wing entry gates, you are greeted by two angels – wings spread wide, in a welcoming embrace.

The space is open in design. The large “dine & play” area allows for guests to hang out, throw a party, or get in a Rock Band jam session. Large, rounded sofas – plush to the touch and clad in sofa leather, divide the open space into grouped social areas, but keep the space open. A large, boat-shaped dining table at bar height allows for a meal to be served, or card games to be played. Or relax and sink into the oversize dining banquette and catch your favourite sports team on the 72” screen TV encased in smoked mirror.

The roll up projection screen and open “play” area allows for the rockin’ gamer in anyone to enjoy some geek-out time and get video-gaming in; while the “chill” rocker can lounge on the terrace on the oversize daybed and take in the ocean breeze and view of the entire resort. And every heaven must have a “secret door” ….through the clear chain that drips from the ceiling, there is a hidden powder room. And once you step inside and flip the light switch, you are suddenly enveloped in blacklight graffiti art on all the walls.

With angel wing pendant lights flanking a round platform bed in the master bedroom, anyone would feel this bed is set as a stage. Smoked mirrored walls and the 8-foot “cracked vanity mirror” in the master bathroom adds interested. The large steam shower, wrapped in black mosaic tile and stone, is large enough for both you and your ten closest friends if you wish – it’s that big!

Even if you’re not a rock star, you can certainly pretend to be one in this Rock Star Suite.

Marriott International, Inc. has recently entered into a non-binding letter of intent for the sale of three EDITION hotels subject to long-term management agreements. The three hotels (located in London, Miami Beach, and Manhattan) are currently owned by Marriott and are under construction. The residential component of the Miami Beach EDITION would not be included in this transaction. The company would retain ownership of the Miami Beach EDITION residential units pending their sale to individual purchasers.The letter of intent contemplates a fixed sales price of approximately $800 million for the three hotels; this price is approximately equal to Marriott’s expected total acquisition and development cost. Increases in estimated development costs would not result in higher hotel sales prices.

If the transaction goes forward, the company expects each hotel sale would occur after construction is complete, with the company retaining long-term management agreements. The company anticipates completing construction of the London EDITION within the next thirty days, the Miami Beach EDITION in the second half of 2014, and the New York EDITION in early 2015.

The company does not anticipate making any further public announcements about this transaction prior to the execution of binding legal agreements. The company can make no assurance that the transactions contemplated in the non-binding letter of intent will be completed on the current terms or at all, or that construction of the hotels will be completed when anticipated.