Hotel Designs

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.

Yesterday (Wednesday 18th September), the UK’s first budget hotel chain, Travelodge, strengthened its presence in Spain by opening its sixth hotel in the country and its third in the capital city, Madrid.The new purpose built 98-room property is the Company’s third and largest hotel in Madrid and represents a €12 million investment.

Travelodge Madrid Alcala is situated in the heart of the city’s famous Julian Camarillo commercial district and offers rooms from €29.

In 2013, Travelodge has invested €42million into Spain. In May this year, Travelodge opened its largest hotel in the country – Barcelona Poblenou. The 250-room property represented a €30million investment.

With the opening of Travelodge Madrid Alcala, the Company’s Spanish portfolio is boosted to six properties and 700 rooms. In addition to the three hotels in Madrid, Travelodge has two hotels in Barcelona and one in Valencia.

To date, Travelodge has invested €80 million and created nearly 100 new jobs in Spain.

Madrid Alcala Travelodge features the Company’s new room design which has been designed by Travelodge customers. The new room includes an upgraded new luxury king size bed which is deemed in the industry as the ‘Rolls Royce’ of beds and is used predominately by luxury hotels worldwide.

The rooms also have en-suite facilities, air conditioning / heating, a flat screen TV and Internet connection. In addition to help create a warm and cosy ambiance in the new room, Travelodge worked with a chromotherapy expert and has introduced a sleep inducing colour palette to the room’s décor. The hotel also has a Bar Café which offers a 24-hour food and drink service.

Travelodge Madrid Alcala will be managed by Vanessa Villacastin, who has been with the Company since 2004 and previously managed the Travelodge Madrid Torrelaguna hotel. Vanessa will manage a team of 13 people.

July’s Highlights
• London hoteliers nurse Olympic hangover…
• …While the sunshine cheers Provinces hoteliers.

Externally the building looks good, another fine addition to the University Campus. The hotel name comes from the orchard that was originally on the site, and which has been replanted elsewhere, apparently. Whilst the building is striking externally despite being surrounded by car parking and a huge flight of access steps, the interior, despite the best efforts of the interior designers, seems to lack atmosphere. Through both interior and exterior the detailing of the build is executed poorly, letting down the quality.
It can be embarrassing acting as a sounding board for other peoples frustration with design. Standing to one side in the lobby of the Orchard Hotel, part of the new Nottingham University campus, I was buttonholed by not one but two executives from De Vere Venues, the operator, voicing their frustration with the finishes of the building, and the operational problems caused by the layout.

Often with new hotels there is a barren feel to the space as both guest and operator come to terms with how to make most effective use of the spaces. Here the spaces appear compromised by the architecture and the requirement for the building to be accessible from both sides to allow free flow across the campus. Canny students are already using the free wifi and the comfortable lounge to settle down with their laptops to research and write. This must be expected in any campus based hotel but the ‘bums on seats’ this creates are not exactly going to be revenue earners for the operator. Fortunately the main De Vere venue conference area is just across the road from the hotel and most high level university campuses (campae?) generate high demand for quality rooms for visiting staff, high level post graduates from industry etc. so this is likely to be a profitable hotel for the group once out of the teething phase.

English Cities Fund (ECf) has signed an agreement with Premier Inn to operate a 143-bed hotel and restaurant at the first phase of the New Bailey development – part of the £650 million Salford Central scheme. The hotel has been designed by RHWL Architects. The £12.5 million hotel development will be built on a half-acre site at the corner of Irwell Street and Stanley Street facing south to the River Irwell. As well as 143 standard rooms, eight accessible rooms, the hotel will offer:
• Bar and restaurant facilities
• Lounge/TV/internet/café/public rest areas
• Management office
• Employee tea room
• Servicing area

Phil Mayall, development director at ECf, said: “This announcement is a great boost to the scheme. New Bailey will be the commercial quarter at the heart of the Salford Central development and the new Premier Inn will sit very well in supporting this.

“With the planning application now approved, and agreement with Premier Inn finalised, we are looking forward to work beginning on site.”

Corrie Jones, Associate of RHWL Architects, said: “This Premier Inn will be the first development in New Bailey, so as well as meeting the brief’s commercial requirements we wanted to create a landmark for the area that would draw on Salford’s heritage and existing buildings in a contemporary way.”

RHWL Architects’ design introduces a subtle layering of three primary elements of glazed curtain walling, red sandstone and charcoal brick. This red sandstone is articulated with a subtle serration, which in a contemporary manner mimics the layering and highly detailed façades of many of the area’s Victorian buildings, including Riverside House just across New Quay Street.

When complete, Salford Central – which is made up of two interdependent, but distinct areas: New Bailey, which was masterplanned by RHWL Architects; and Chapel Street – will create around 11,000 new jobs, 220,000 square metres of commercial space, 850 new homes and 390 hotel rooms.

ECf – a joint venture between Muse Developments, Legal & General Property and The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) – is now in talks with a building contractor, which will start work on site in September.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has signed an agreement with Mase Co LLC, a company managed by Brilliant Role Group, to open a new-build Sheraton hotel in Dohuk, in the Kurdistan Autonomous Region in northern Iraq. Scheduled to debut early next year, the Sheraton Dohuk Hotel will be the first of four new Starwood hotels to open in Iraq after 20 years, and will be the first internationally-branded hotel in the emerging city of Dohuk. Situated in Dohuk on the border of Turkey, the 202-room Sheraton Dohuk Hotel will be ideally located at the top of a hill with stunning views overlooking the entire city and nearby mountains. The hotel will feature an all-day dining venue, a signature restaurant, and four lounges. Sheraton Dohuk Hotel is set to become the choice gathering place for business travellers, offering extensive meeting and event space, including three ballrooms for special events.

The hotel will feature the brand’s signature Link@Sheraton® experienced with Microsoft®, Sheraton Club Lounge and Sheraton Fitness® by Core Performance™, designed exclusively for Sheraton guests through its partner Core Performance. All guest rooms will feature the all-white Sheraton Sweet Sleeper® bed, designed to meet AAA’s Five Diamond Award® criteria. Guests can also pamper themselves in Sheraton Shine Spa.

Sheraton Dohuk will mark Starwood’s re-entry into Iraq, which will be followed by the opening of Sheraton Erbil Hotel, Aloft Erbil and Four Points by Sheraton Erbil in the capital of the Kurdistan Autonomous Region in 2015.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® has announced that its ‘Different by Design’ Aloft brand has doubled its presence in Tulsa, Oklahoma with the opening of Aloft Tulsa Downtown. The opening also marks the successful completion of the Aloft brand’s second adaptive re-use project. The former City Hall was transformed into Aloft Tulsa Downtown by owner and developer TOCH, LLC. Managed by Presidian Hotels & Resorts, Aloft Tulsa Downtown caters to the next generation of travelers with 180 spacious, loft-like rooms, leading-edge technology and a buzzing, social atmosphere. The opening of Aloft Tulsa Downtown follows the award-winning Aloft Dallas Downtown, which transformed a historic railroad depot into an Aloft hotel. Aloft will complete two more adaptive re-use projects in 2014 – Aloft Detroit Downtown and Aloft Tampa Downtown.

Located on the northern edge of Civic Center Plaza, Aloft Tulsa Downtown is a key element of Tulsa’s newest mixed-use development. The hotel is a short stroll to the Tulsa Convention Center, the Tulsa County Courthouse, the Central Library, the concerts and events at the BOK center, and the city’s business and entertainment district. Also nearby are the Tulsa Drillers baseball stadium, Greenwood Cultural Center, Tulsa Race Riot Museum, the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame and the Tulsa Air and Space Museum.

Offering impressive views of both downtown and the Arkansas River, Aloft Tulsa Downtown will include a Splash outdoor pool, w xyz sm bar, 24-hour fitness center and 9,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, ideal for both business meetings and social gatherings.

Images via www.alofttulsa.com/gallery

New research from Timetric suggests that despite the challenging economic times, European business travellers are choosing upscale or midscale hotels during business trips. Overall, 46% of the survey respondents indicated that they expect to visit midscale hotels over the next 12 months, while 31% will choose upscale hotels. New research from Timetric suggests that despite the challenging economic times, European business travellers are choosing upscale or midscale hotels during business trips. Overall, 46% of the survey respondents indicated that they expect to visit midscale hotels over the next 12 months, while 31% will choose upscale hotels.

Timetric reports that midscale hotels are experiencing sustained growth in Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR). Some international hotel brands are overcoming severe challenges from local brands in the midscale sector. According to the survey, 35% of respondents spend up to 30% of their overall travel expenditure on hotel accommodation, while 21% spend up to 40%. The majority of business travellers tend to stay at hotels for two to three days.

However, untapped markets such as Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries offer an opportunity for growth in this sector where travellers look for hotels that offer luxury facilities at affordable prices.

A senior executive from Marriott International told Timetric:

“We added over 27,000 rooms to our worldwide system in 2012, increased our worldwide system-wide RevPAR by 6%, and increased room rates by 4%.”

European business travellers will also be spending more on transport, restaurants and leisure in the coming year. As a result, hotel operators are investing more in properties located near businesses, restaurants and shopping centres.

The Timetric report: ‘European Business Traveller Survey 2013’ was published in August 2013

Sit back, sip a cocktail and see it all in great company at Centra Bar & Lounge. This Mediterranean-inspired space is a treat for the senses – with over 100 lanterns adorning the central bar, the feel of the plush materials through the lounge, sounds from the DJ booth above the lower lounge, and interesting speciality cocktails- this bar keeps the party going, 24/7Centra, the centrally located social scene of the Luxor Hotel, is an exotic yet welcoming escape surrounded by all the casino action, offering the ideal locale for mingling with friends new and old.

A warm and inviting area to call your own, Centra is a great place to enjoy some casual Las Vegas-style libations with a drink in hand and playing your favourite poker and video games at the bar.

Travelodge has exchanged contracts with the owner of the Saxon Square Shopping Centre, for the development of a brand new hotel in Christchurch, Dorset as part of an extensive town-centre project. Set to open in Spring 2014, the 68-bed hotel is part of a major conversion of former office buildings, which will also bring a number of new retail stores to the town centre. Work will commence on site in late September, with ten jobs being created when the hotel opens.

The hotel will be Travelodge’s fifth hotel in Dorset, with three established properties in the nearby seaside town of Bournemouth, and one in Ringwood. With an enviable South Coast location, Christchurch’s picturesque harbour, beaches and nature reserves, make it a popular tourist destination, attracting over a million visitors each year.

Commenting on the news, Cllr Ray Nottage, Leader of Christchurch Borough Council, said:

“If Christchurch is to attract visitors we have to create not just a shopping area, but an experience. The inclusion of Travelodge in our opinion will not just enhance our town centre but also give visitors the opportunity to stay longer and enjoy the unique experience of the Borough.”

Steve Tyler, Development Manager at Travelodge Hotels, added:

“The opening of the first Christchurch Travelodge Hotel is a great addition to our other properties along the Dorset coastline. The new hotel is centrally located in the town, and will serve as a comfortable and convenient overnight choice for the town’s many visitors, as they explore all the area’s attractions and sights.”

As well as investing in new properties, Travelodge is six months into an extensive £57million refurbishment programme, to refit large parts of it existing estate with brand new rooms. By the end of 2013, more than 50% of its hotel rooms will have been refitted.

By the autumn of 2014, 85% of Travelodge’s estate will incorporate the new room design, meaning the makeover will see an average of more than 50 rooms refurbished every day for the next 18 months.

July’s Highlights
• Food and Beverage profits tripled in Berlin and enhanced GOPPAR performance.
• Under the July sun, Barcelona’s hoteliers saw profits flourishing.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has recently announced plans to open both a Sheraton and Le Méridien hotel in Charlotte’s bustling uptown business district as part of a $20 million conversion and renovation project. Sheraton Charlotte Hotel and Le Méridien Charlotte will each occupy one tower of a massive hotel complex, currently operated as The Blake Hotel. Owned by Carolina Hospitality and managed by Wischermann Partners, Sheraton Charlotte Hotel will has opened as of August, 15. The other hotel tower will operate as an independent hotel through renovations and re-open as Le Méridien Charlotte in January 2014. Sheraton Charlotte Hotel and Le Méridien Charlotte will each have its own porte-cochere, entrance and lobby and will share a 24-hour fitness center, spa, indoor and outdoor pools and pool bar, underground parking, and 55,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. There will be a total of six restaurants between the two towers following the opening of both hotels, including a lobby bar and full-service restaurant in the Sheraton tower, and Le Méridien’s Hub and signature Latitude Bar. Additionally, Le Méridien Charlotte will feature a spectacular rooftop bar that showcases beautiful views of the downtown Charlotte skyline. All dining outlets will be accessible to guests at both hotels.

Prior to opening, Sheraton Charlotte Hotel will implement the Sheraton brand’s signature Link@Sheraton® experienced with Microsoft® and Link@Sheraton Café. All 306 guest rooms will be fully refurbished and outfitted with the all-white Sheraton Sweet Sleeper® bed, designed to meet AAA’s Five Diamond Award® criteria, as well as an oversized work desk, ergonomic chair, high-speed Internet, and LCD flat panel television. Following further renovations, the hotel’s fitness facility will feature the brand’s revolutionary new health and fitness program, Sheraton Fitness, Programmed by Core PerformanceTM, designed exclusively for Sheraton guests through its partner Core Performance.

Le Méridien Charlotte will undergo extensive renovations to its public areas and its 305 guest rooms prior to opening. The hotel will feature the Le Méridien HubTM experience, which re-interprets the traditional lobby into a social gathering place for creative people to converse, debate, and exchange, further building on the brand’s award-winning arrival experience and curated 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 ARTTM program, featuring LM100 TM artist designed key card collections that not only offer access to the guestroom but also to Le Méridien affiliated contemporary cultural centers in the city; and a 24-hour curated soundtrack.

Renaissance Hotels, the signature lifestyle brand of Marriott International, has announced the opening of the new Renaissance Izmir Hotel in Turkey. With its chic design and architecture, the new hotel is ideally located minutes from the city centre and sea front promenade.Featuring a distinctive atrium style with panoramic views, every guest should expect a unique stay whether travelling for business or leisure. The lobby Library greets the guests with an extensive selection of books and the signature ‘Navigator’ desk provides unique ‘In-the-Know’ including the best of local experiences in Izmir.

Renaissance Hotels helps to inspire authentic travel experiences through innovative guest programmes including NAVIGATOR, the brand’s signature concierge service, and RLife LIVE, an industry-leading entertainment platform showcasing music, arts and more at Renaissance Hotels around the world. Last year, Renaissance Hotels introduced its first ever global advertising campaign, Live Life to DiscoverSM, inspiring guests to discover something distinctly new whenever they travel for business or leisure.

The Renaissance Izmir Hotel features 110 stylish and spacious guest rooms, with each room including indigenous touches such as local photography and traditional “Kurna” bathing basins. The hotel’s culinary experience fulfils every palette while establishing a new dining and entertainment bar for the city. The Pinch, located in the lobby, serves local dishes with a contemporary twist. Roof top restaurant, SkyFire, is unique with its large terrace, open kitchen and Mediterranean flavours.

Equipped with state of the art facilities, the hotel’s Shala Spa offers travellers the best in relaxation and rejuvenation. The spa boasts the largest traditional Turkish Baths in the city centre designed for both women and men.

Renaissance Izmir Hotel is a preferential venue for today’s modern meeting planner, featuring the brand’s signature R.E.N. meetings program, which incorporates signature programs such as Navigator and RLife LIVE, designed especially for meetings and special events.

On Wednesday 11th September 2013, Travelodge officially marked its role in the King Richard III story, when the Mayor of Leicester Peter Soulsby unveiled a plaque at Leicester Central Travelodge to mark the site of the Blue Boar Inn – where King Richard lll spent his last night before being killed at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485.This plaque is one of ten that have been produced by Leicester City Council to mark a new medieval walking tour that retraces King Richard lll last steps before he became the last English King to be killed in battle – which subsequently became a decisive moment in the War of the Roses.

The walking tour starts at Leicester Central Travelodge on Highcross Street, the former location of the Blue Boar Inn, which then stood on a medieval high street. Built in the mid-15th century, the Blue Boar was one of Leicester’s principal coaching inns, a place where aristocrats and wealthy merchants would stay when moving around the country. Today, the site is occupied by a 94-room Travelodge hotel which opened more than 500 years after the battle, in 2004.

The walking tour then takes in some of the other key sites associated with the King Richard III story such as: Bow Bridge, where the King crossed to do battle, and Grey Friars, where King Richard III’s body was famously found buried under a council car-park.

In addition to Leicester Central Travelodge being the starting point of the new walking tour, the hotel also hosted a book signing event. The book entitled ‘Richard III: The Leicester Connection’ has been penned by David Baldwin, a former academic tutor at the University of Leicester.

Mr Baldwin had predicted the possibility of finding Richard III on the site of the Grey Friars. He rejected the popular belief that Richard III’s remains were dug up and thrown into a local river when the local friary was dissolved. In his 1986 work, he pointed to the possible location of the burial site of King Richard III and wrote: ‘It is possible, (though perhaps now unlikely) that at some time in the 21st century, an excavator may yet reveal the slight remains of this famous monarch.’

Speaking ahead of the launch, David Baldwin today said: “I was thrilled when my prediction proved to be accurate, because only rarely is a historical mystery genuinely solved. My interest in King Richard goes back more than half a century, and I’m so pleased that my contribution to the discovery has helped to put Leicester on the map.”

Salman Mohammed, Leicester Central Travelodge Hotel Manager said: “We are very proud that our hotel has a place in Britain’s history. Since the remains of King Richard lll were discovered earlier this year, we have been inundated with enquiries from the public wanting to know what room King Richard lll stayed in and requesting information on the Blue Boar Inn. We have had many tourists turning up to take a picture of our hotel too.

“It is such an honour to be the starting point of this new walking tour and to have a plaque on the outside wall of our hotel which details such a vital time in the story of King Richard lll.”

The Caribbean’s #1 rated hotel according to TripAdvisor reviewers, Grenada’s five-star Spice Island Beach Resort is embarking on a multi-million dollar renovation project to ensure the boutique resort remains at the forefront of the luxury tourism market.The resort will close from Sept 2-21, 2013 in order to complete construction projects including an upgraded porte-cochère featuring contemporary pavers as well as redesigned public spaces throughout the entire property.

The courtyard, reception lobby, restaurants and residence lounge will enjoy a brand new façade featuring wall definitions and trimmings, chic lighting and contemporary aesthetics accented by a fresh combination of colors. The Sea & Surf Terrace – a popular setting for causal lunches and evening entertainment – will be expanded with two extended decks, allowing for more seating and an enhanced dance floor.

Furniture throughout all restaurants and public areas will be replaced, including pool deck and bar furniture. A dedicated concierge area will be added to the lobby area for guests’ convenience, while the business centre will be relocated to a dedicated location.

The full-service, on property Janissa’s Spa will close one week earlier on Aug. 25 in order to facilitate an extensive upgrade and expansion. The redesigned spa will feature a separate hair salon, a brand new manicure and pedicure facility, a new indoor couples massage room and sauna area complete with double outdoor showers. The spa’s outer deck will be transformed into a relaxation area to provide a tranquil ambiance to aid in guests’ relaxation.

Enhancing the contemporary look and feel of the resort’s guestrooms, select indoor and outdoor furniture and fixtures will be replaced. The addition of patio fans will help sunbathers keep cool on warm days, while upgraded Dedon chaise lounges in the garden area of Sea Grape suites will ensure visitors unwind in comfort and style. A redesigned lighting theme and immaculate, new soft furnishings will give all guestrooms a brand new appearance designed to impress discerning travelers.

All construction projects will be completed by Sept. 21, while Spice Island Beach Resort will continue to upgrade soft furnishings with an ultimate completion date of Oct. 31, 2013.

Jones Lang LaSalle’s Capital Markets Alternative Investment team and Hotels & Hospitality Group has announced the completion of two hotel funding acquisitions of Premier Inn buildings in central London and the forward funding sale of a Premier Inn in Winchester. Acting on behalf of Standard Life Investment, the team acquired Premier Inn Goodman’s Fields, Aldgate. The proposed 250 bed hotel was bought on a forward commitment basis at a price of £39 million reflecting a net initial yield of 5.50%. In addition, on behalf of CBRE Global Investors, the team has acquired a 90 bed Premier Inn in Dalston on a forward funding basis at a price of £9 million which reflects a net initial yield of 5.65%

Outside of the capital, Jones Lang LaSalle has completed on a £9.2 million sale of a Premier Inn forward funding in Winchester on behalf of Reef Estates. The 101 bed hotel was sold to AXA Real Estate at a net initial yield of 5.45% According to Jones Lang LaSalle, the price achieved reflects a new benchmark for the funding of a regional Premier Inn.

Will Duffey, Senior Vice President in Jones Lang LaSalle’s Hotels and Hospitality Group, commented: ”These transactions emphasise the strong investor demand for the Whitbread covenant. Premier Inn continues to go from strength to strength, with the aim for an estate of 75,000 bedrooms by 2018. In addition, they have recently launched their new hotel product called the Hub by Premier Inn, and have over 1,000 bedrooms committed to within London, with their first hotel under construction. We act jointly on behalf of Whitbread in assisting them on their new acquisitions for both brands.”

Martin Le Grice, Director in Jones Lang LaSalle’s Capital Markets Alternative Investment team, added: “Our recent successes in the leased hotel market is just one of the alternative property sectors in which we operate. Investors continue to seek long term secure product with inflation proof indexation rent reviews and the alternative sector including student accommodation, healthcare as well as leased hotels is able to satisfy the market’s requirements.”

Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity www.raysofsunshine.org.uk grants wishes for seriously ill children in the UK aged 3-18. The charity granted its first wish in 2003 and is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.The British Contract Furnishing Association is supporting Rays of Sunshine this year, by helping to make wishes come true. Members have pulled together to create a dream bedroom for a 13 year old from Ramsgate in Kent. Planning for the project has taken around 3 months and culminated with installation at the end of July

Philip is living with Spinomuscular Atrophy – a muscle wasting disease that affects every part of his body. He requires help with everything including feeding and dressing. He is reliant upon an electric wheelchair and a ventilator at night. He is confined to being indoors. He has only recently had his own bedroom and his wish was to have it decorated and to stay in a hotel during the renovations. His mum hopes that the new bedroom will give Philip some much sought after independence and the stay in the hotel will enable them to have time relaxing together as a family.

The BCFA has inspired their members to go over and above all expectations to create a wonderful new room for Philip. The family left home at 9am on Monday 29th July for a two night stay in London. When they returned on the afternoon of Wednesday 31st July. Philip’s new bedroom was revealed.

Philip is a big fan of Lego and Star Wars. His dream bedroom included:
•A motorised desk
•Electric blind
•These will be programmed so they can be operated from his iPad
•Artwork on his wall incorporating Lego and Star Wars ¬ Philip’s two favourite things
•New Carpet
•Shelves/Storage/wardrobe
•Curtains
•Wall paper
•Soft Furnishings
•Duvets/Pillows
•Lamps/Lampshades

“I have seen the Rays of Sun Shine charity grow over the past 10 years, and have admired all the good work they do, granting wishes to children who face enormous health issues, and changing their lives by simply making them smile with the granting of a wish. It is a magical gift.

The essence of the BCFA, for me personally, has always been the strength of our membership and the people within it. This project has demonstrated how wonderfully kind and generous people and their companies have been supporting this initiative and I am hugely thankful, because without all of this support my task would have been impossible.

We have worked as an extended community, as competitors and colleagues, clients and supporters, as well as reaching out to new partners, and it has been extremely humbling for us all to be given the chance to make a difference, and to give Philip the bedroom he has always wished for.” said Carolyn Mitchell, Walker Greenbank and BCFA Director.

Colin Watson BCFA Managing Director thanked all those who helped

“ including those who offered products and services that we were not able to use this time. Carolyn Mitchell and the Team at Walker Greenbank Contracts for textiles, paint and weeks of time (Zoffany, FR One, Harlequin, Sanderson); Charles Leon and Joumana at CLA, a brilliant design; Portview the amazing contractors Ronan and Glen, who also do gardening and dysoning the carpets; Dixon Turner and their star Alex, paper hanger, plumber and specialist at lots of things; The Fine Bedding Co for the duvet, pillows and mattress protector; Chelsom Lighting; Ulster Carpets; OW Hospitality for the carpet fitter Bill Fox at Caps; Silent Gliss local heroes and magic curtain tracks; Colin Bowden of Bowden Tollitt for the survey, curtain and cushion making and support; Moon for the union jack throw; Kinnarps for the electric desk, I want one please; Jameson for the sofa or aka kids trampoline; Standfast and Edmund Bell for textiles; Cliq Design for the quilting; Gary Timpson, sparky; Lego for the Lego; ClicTime for the Lego clock; Phillip Dawson at Rufflette for the TV; David Cumplen at Revival Corporate Cleaning for donating; Hilton Hotels for looking after the family for two days; Domino Pizza for the food, I didn’t get any; Elegant Clutter for the Star Wars artwork, I don’t believe you did that Harry, fab; local company Centrobed, who on seeing it on the TV news provided a new bed.

And of course Rays of Sunshine Team, Laura, Melissa, Sophie”

Ever since I heard that they were refurbishing some of the rooms at the Alton Towers hotel I’ve been excited to stay in one. I finally booked a stay over August to see if the reality lived up to the dream.The room, on first impressions, is very good. It’s set out in a similar style to the LegoLand Hotel (see our review here) and features a bathroom with over bath shower, toilet and sink; wardrobe/storage rack/fridge/TCMF unit; vanity unit with mirror and more powerful hairdryer than in other rooms; a large bed with enormous teddy bear; work desk and kids area with bunk beds, TV and xBox. The room is fairly large and has the benefit of an air conditioning unit/heater which other rooms lack (but desperately need).

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Joint venture partners Cathedral Group PLC and Development Securities PLC have completed a deal with Travelodge for the pre-let of a 104-bed hotel at The Movement, Greenwich and have also completed forward funding to an American private investor for £8.6m, representing an investment yield of 6.4%. The hotel is a key element at the new vibrant mixed-use development located in the heart of Greenwich.The investor will also provide construction funding.

Construction of the hotel will commence in October 2013 and contractor, Anglo Holt (who has built over 50 hotels for Travelodge) has been appointed to carry out the build. The hotel is due to open in September 2014 and will sit in a prime position within the development, which is adjacent to Greenwich Docklands Light Railway and mainline station. The hotel will bring additional revenue to the local economy and is likely to create over 20 new jobs for the local community.

The Movement, which was granted planning permission in 2011 and is currently under construction, is a 2.2 acre site that will also offer 181 residential apartments (being built by Willmott Dixon), 358-student apartments to be occupied by the University of Greenwich (by McLaren and L&G), a health and fitness club, convenience food store, nursery, bicycle café and 7,000 sq ft of business ‘start-up’ units. A new public, pedestrian-friendly street will run through the development connecting the DLR with Norman Road. The first residents will be moving into their new accommodation by Christmas 2013.

As part of the section 106 agreement, the development will also feature an extension to the existing West Greenwich Community Centre, which will be completed in September. This will provide the facility at no cost to the Royal Borough of Greenwich, with an extra 2,000 sq ft of floor space and increase the venue’s capacity by 250 people. Over the next ten years it is anticipated that the whole scheme will generate £275 million for the local economy.

Andrew Storey, Development Director at Cathedral Group said:
“This deal completes the principle elements of development at the Movement, Greenwich and underlines Cathedral’s ability to create value from complex mixed-use sites for the community and investment partners while living up to our aspiration to create great places”.

Tony O’Brien, UK Development Director for Travelodge Hotels, said:
“We are delighted that funding for this scheme has been secured. It is a fantastic location and a great development to be part of. We have two other hotels in the Borough, opposite the Deptford Bridge DLR Station and in the centre of Woolwich, and both trade really well. This new hotel is fantastically located for the National Maritime Museum and the Cutty Sark and, being next to the DLR and Mainline station, is also great for getting into central London.”

Philip Chatterton of Sladen Capital Partners represented Cathedral Group and Development Securities PLC, Alan Hill of AEH represented Travelodge in the exchange of contracts and Colliers International Property Advisers UK LLP advised the private investor.

LUCHFORD APM has been appointed to manage the international public relations for a new Montenegrin development. The development will be a collaboration between Kerzner International and Azmont DOO investments to create Europe’s first One&Only resort and a luxury development project in Kotor Bay, Montenegro.Strategically located at the most narrow part of the entrance to Tivat Bay, the 60 acre site will be the setting for a One&Only resort with 120 guest rooms, suites and villas. The site will include a 3,000 sq m One&Only Health Spa, world-class marina catering to mega yachts (with tax reliefs on fuel of up to 40% for all nationalities), beach club, tennis academy and the largest conferencing and banqueting facilities in the region – offering an outstanding year-round destination.

The site is only 40 minutes’ drive from both Dubrovnik and Tivat airports and is located on the narrowest part of the entrance to Kotor Bay. It will command an enviable position between mountain and sea, overlooking 1.2 km of pristine coastline of the Adriatic Sea.

The beauty of the area has always been a strong draw for the rich and famous, with Princess Margaret, Sofia Loren, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor all known for holidaying in this corner of the Adriatic. Azmont DOO is looking to cement Montenegro’s reputation as one of the ‘go-to’ destinations in Europe and their commitment to the area is demonstrated through an investment of €500 million to engage a vigorous delivery programme to complete the project by early 2016. Waterfront shops, cafes, restaurants, botanical gardens, eco-park, fish market and an organic food market are all part of the vision for the area.

From mid-January to the end of March 2013, the Acquapura SPA & MED at Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden underwent extensive extension and rebuilding in line with the vision of the South Tyrolean tourism group. On 29 August 2013, these improvements were presented at an official opening ceremony for the public.Three million euros were invested in the 3,600m² luxury spa, with its private beach club sitting directly by the lake. New highlights include a panoramic garden pool, Finnish outdoor sauna with panoramic windows overlooking the lake, relaxation room with suspended swings, SPA cinema and Medical Spa Centre.

In addition to the extensive Spa facilities, guests staying at the luxury resort at Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden will also be able to use the Medical Spa in the future.

The MED SPA specialists to be introduced are Univ. Med. Dr. Christine Hoffmann (aesthetic dermatology), Univ. Med. Dr. Peter Durnig (aesthetic medicine, cosmetic surgery), Univ. Med. Dr. Christian Thuile (prevention concepts and regeneration), as well as Univ. Med. Dr. Elke and Thomas Friessnegger (prevention and regeneration).

The south Tyrolean Bea Mitterhofer from beainteriors is responsible for the interior design of the redesigned Acquapura SPA & MED area.

Dormy House, above the picturesque Cotswold village of Broadway, has officially opened its doors following a multi-million refurbishment and brilliant transformation. Keeping all that is best about the Cotswolds – oak panelled beams, flagstone flooring, Cotswold stone and open log fires – the hotel has been imbued with a new spirit and stunning “Farmhouse Chic” interiors. Since the early 17th century, the original farmhouse has stood; first as a family home and for the past 36 years as a much-loved family-owned hotel. It has re-emerged with stunning interiors by London-based Todhunter Earle, following a dramatic redesign which has opened up the heart of the hotel and seen the creation of two new restaurants.

A stylish, open-plan reception leads onto The Potting Shed – the natural hub of the hotel: by day a rustic, informal but buzzy place to meet and by night a destination bar and restaurant. The new Garden Room restaurant complements this all-day eatery, serving dishes created with passion by Head Chef Paul Napper. Large glass windows cleverly bring the outside in and overlook a landscaped garden by Chris Beardshaw – the Chelsea RHS Gold-winning garden designer and TV presenter. The transformation completes with the opening of House Spa in early 2014 – a brand new spa by award-wining spa designers Sparcstudio and Howard Spa Consulting.

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Hilton Worldwide has recently announced the opening of Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok in Bangkok, Thailand. Located in the heart of prestigious Sukhumvit, one of Bangkok’s most central business and entertainment districts, Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok is the ninth Hilton Worldwide hotel in the country. The stylish Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok offers a range of 280 spacious deluxe and executive rooms and suites, providing guests a place to unwind or catch up on work. The hotel’s modernistic restaurants include fresh culinary concepts reflected in its two specialty restaurants, Scalini and Mondo. Scalini, the hotel’s main dining area, serves 1920s-inspired, fine Italian-American food. The restaurant features a live interactive kitchen and pizza oven as well as a centrally-located wine cellar. Mondo takes its inspiration from the Mediterranean and serves tapas and antipasto style dishes in a casual setting. Diners can feast on delights from the charcuterie meat and cheese tower, while fresh coffee from the barista bar keeps diners refreshed.

Business travelers can choose to host interactive meetings at the Summit, which offers three meeting rooms styled after a New York penthouse and are equipped with a Bofi kitchen and state-of-the-art audiovisual technology.

Recreational options include Lapse, the hotel’s rooftop infinity pool with sweeping views of Bangkok’s skylines. Guests can lounge at a pool bar or maintain their fitness regimes at the fully-equipped, 24-hour Precor gym.

Situated 300 meters from Phrom Phong skytrain station on Sukhumvit Soi 24, Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok offers guests easy access to premium shopping and dining centers such as Emporium, Terminal 21 and Siam Paragon. Travelers can also connect to Bangkok’s major landmarks, including the Grand Palace and the Chao Phraya River.

A 63-bedroom Premier Inn hotel and restaurant in Dudley is now open following a 28 week, £3.8m construction on the Castlegate Business Park on behalf of Birmingham developer, Stoford. The funding for the project was provided by Custodian Capital in return for Premier Inn committing to a 20-year lease. The hotel occupies the corner plot at the entrance of the business park and is set to create around 25 new jobs and provide a major boost to the local economy.

John Bates, head of acquisitions UK and Ireland for Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants, said the three-storey hotel, built on land originally owned by the Homes and Communities Agency, would complement other hotels the company was developing across the West Midlands and the Black Country.

“We currently have more than 52,000 Premier Inn bedrooms in the UK and are on track to achieve our target of 75,000 bedrooms by 2018,” he added.
The new hotel is Stoford’s second scheme at Castlegate Business Park where it has now started building a 10,000 sq ft development for the Staffordshire and West Midlands Probation Trust.

Hilton Worldwide has recently announced the signing of a management agreement with Lanzhou Friendship Hotel to build a hotel consisting of approximately 389 guest rooms in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province. Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2017, the 389-room Hilton Lanzhou will reside in the city’s central commercial district and provides Hilton Worldwide with greater access to China’s rapidly developing northwest China.Situated in the city’s central business district on East Xijin Road in Qilihe District, Hilton Lanzhou will be the first international hotel brand in the city. Hilton Lanzhou is strategically located to provide guests with easy access to the city’s railway, air and road transport hubs, the Lanzhou State High-Tech Development Zone, and the wealth of cultural landmarks and natural beauty the former Silk Road stop has to offer.

Hilton Lanzhou’s top 32 floors will provide guests with an unblocked view of the Yellow River and the surrounding landscape. In addition to state-of-the-art guest rooms, the hotel will include three restaurants, a lobby lounge and bar, three function rooms, 16 meeting rooms, a ballroom, and a health club with a spa and indoor swimming pool. The hotel is 50km away from the airport, 2km from the West Railway Station and 4.5km from city and provincial government offices. The hotel is also walking distance to the city’s foremost shopping district, the Gansu Provincial Museum, other government bureaus and corporate offices, including stated owned enterprises and bank branches of Qilihe.

Elegant Hotels Group’s west coast Barbados resort Colony Club will unveil its new look on 1 October this year. Already cherished as one of the platinum coast’s finest traditional properties, the planned renovations taking place throughout September will further enhance the tasteful look and feel of the colonial style resort with modern updates throughout. The new concept will focus on relaxation, restoring mind and body, healthy eating, togetherness and minimising impact on the local environment. Muted decor, soft lighting, natural wood and earthy tones will convey the relaxed old-world feel of the property which will be accentuated by splashes of vivid colour for a truly Barbadian vibe.

One of five resorts in the Elegant Hotels Group collection, Colony Club will boast 96 bedrooms and suites all in a contemporary yet sophisticated style which will be in keeping with the natural setting overlooking the sea. There will be new additions to the resort including an organic garden, redesigned Laguna restaurant serving local cuisine and new family offerings.

Laguna Restaurant & Bar
With a vision to create more space for socialising and relaxing, the Laguna Restaurant will become a focal point of the hotel and will be an al fresco environment in which to enjoy the vistas over the landscaped gardens and pool to the turquoise sea. Guests will be able to enjoy the new modern design that continues the original plantation home feel and the centre of the restaurant will be home to the Laguna Bar, which will serve organic teas and freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices by day and traditional rum punches and house speciality cocktails by night.

Organic Garden
Green fingered enthusiasts will delight in the new feature at Colony Club; the Organic Garden. The natural space will host a variety of fresh produce including herbs, fruits, vegetables and flowers, all of which will be used on the menus and floral displays in the Laguna Restaurant.

Starting in late November, the intimate garden venue will serve as the location for complimentary tours by Colony Club chefs who will harvest seasonal produce for a cookery demonstration for guests in the new Laguna Restaurant enabling aspiring chefs to return home with a new appreciation for the techniques and flavours of Barbadian cuisine armed with tips on how to recreate Colony Club masterpieces.

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Travelodge, the UK’s leading budget hotel chain, has recently celebrated a major milestone in the implementation of its £57 million refurbishment programme – with the completion of its 10,000th room. The nationwide renovation scheme was launched in March 2013 and is the first refurbishment programme to reach this key milestone in such a short period of time across the retail and hotel industry. A 150-strong Travelodge refurbishment team is working around the clock to refurbish 50 rooms every day across the UK, and the company today refurbished its 10,000th room at its Leeds Colton Travelodge hotel.

The scale of the programme means that more than 100 hotels have been refurbished in less than five months with a brand new room design and a luxury bed called the Travelodge Dreamer – which is deemed in the industry as the Rolls Royce of beds.

Grant Hearn, Travelodge CEO said: “The magnitude of our refurbishment programme is quite extraordinary and to have refurbished 10,000 rooms in such a short amount of time is groundbreaking. This is a significant milestone for us, as it demonstrates our determination to grow our business, strengthen our product offering and to make Travelodge the best value hotel chain in the UK.

“Feedback on our new room design has been outstanding which is no real surprise as our customers designed the whole room concept. We are seeing customer satisfaction levels soar, through Trip Advisor as well as on our own feedback channels. There is no doubt that the hero of our new room is the Travelodge Dreamer bed.

“We are on schedule to refurbish half of our estate by the end of this year.”

To date, 65,000 man hours have been invested into delivering the Travelodge refurbishment programme. Ten thousand bespoke Travelodge Dreamer beds, produced by royal warrant holders Sleepeezee Ltd, have been manufactured and delivered, and 40,000 luxurious pillows have been put into hotels – which when stacked up would reach the summit of Mount Everest at 8,848 metres.

The Travelodge Dreamer bed features a unique benefit of housing two space saving comfortable truckle beds within its base. When the beds are in use the base can be used for storing luggage, providing extra space in the room. The truckle beds have been designed to replace the traditional sofa bed, and provide an enhanced service for families staying in the room.

The room also features a sleep inducing colour palette in a tranquil blue, as well as stylish swoosh stripes on the curtains.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts has recently announced the opening of Hilton Capital Grand Abu Dhabi following a refurbishment and rebranding programme. Hilton Capital Grand Abu Dhabi is a visually stunning, curved glass property ideally located close to Abu Dhabi International Airport as well as the city’s National Exhibition Centre and in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s new Capital District. With an abundance of corporate facilities including a 700-capacity grand ballroom and separate 500-capacity function room, five large meeting rooms, two boardrooms and a complimentary business centre, the hotel is well placed to maximise on the city’s flourishing MICE market.

Leisure visitors are also very well catered for and will welcome the luxurious and spacious spa, complete with 15 treatment rooms, sauna and whirlpool, a 24-hour fitness centre and an indoor and outdoor pool. A mouth-watering choice of seven different bars and restaurants, all serving a wide range of international cuisine and offering panoramic views of the city, will appeal to discerning foodies and diners.

Described as an ‘architectural masterpiece’, the all-glass curved wave design of Hilton Capital Grand Abu Dhabi defines the exterior of the property giving the hotel high visibility and iconic landmark status. Walking through the entrance, the interior does not disappoint with impressive, light-filled public spaces and comfortable guest accommodation ranging from classic and deluxe rooms to spacious junior and presidential suites – all finished with signature design pieces of marble bathrooms and featuring floor-to-ceiling windows.

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Hilton Worldwide today announced the signing of a management agreement with Dijaya Land Development Sdn Bhd to manage Hilton Okinawa Kin in Kin, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa, Japan. Scheduled to open in 2016, the 190-room Hilton Okinawa Kin will be part of an integrated resort development located on the eastern side of Okinawa’s main island facing Kin Bay and the Pacific Ocean.”Having operated in Japan for half a century, Hilton Worldwide today operates ten properties located in key leisure and business locations across the country, from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south, with one more to open next year in Chatan, Okinawa,” said Guy Phillips, vice president, development, Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide. “Hilton Okinawa Kin will be our 12th property in Japan, and presents an opportunity to fly another Hilton flag in a key destination for our iconic, flagship brand. Backed by a strong partner like Dijaya Land Development Sdn Bhd, we are confident that this hotel will perform well and continue to deliver quality hospitality experiences synonymous with the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand.”

Rob Palleschi, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts said, “Our story in Japan began in 1963 with the opening of the Tokyo Hilton in Akasaka as one of the first truly global hotel brands to commence trading in the country. This remarkable journey continues to this day as we continue to expand into key destinations in Japan, and Hilton Okinawa Kin will continue our legacy in world-class hospitality alongside its sister properties located in key cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka as well as the Hilton Okinawa Chatan, which will open next year.”

The 12-story Hilton Okinawa Kin is approximately 48 kilometers away from Naha International Airport and benefits from excellent access to the Kin Okinawa Expressway as well as direct access to Naha City. Kin also offers access to a variety of sightseeing spots including Churaumi Aquarium, Okinawa National Ocean Park, Kokusai Street, Shuri Castle, Statue of Himeyuri and the northern resort areas.

The hotel will offer an all-day-dining restaurant, one specialty restaurant and a bar. It will also have a business lounge, meeting rooms, boardrooms and a ballroom, plus recreational facilities such as a fitness club, a spa, a carpark and swimming pool.

“Okinawa is one of the most sought after destinations for domestic travelers in Japan, and is growing in popularity among tourists from Korea, Taiwan and China. Our partnership with Hilton Worldwide is a significant milestone for us as it combines the expertise of a truly global, award-winning hospitality company with our strong track record in residential and commercial developments,” said Dato’ Dickson Tan, Group Managing Director, Dijaya Land Development Sdn Bhd. “The Hilton Okinawa Kin will be part of the first integrated resort development of its kind in Okinawa and we are confident that it will be well placed to meet the demands of both domestic and international travelers looking for world-class accommodation in Okinawa.”

Contributing close to USD5 billion annually, tourism is Okinawa’s largest industry and the prefecture welcomes nearly 5.9 million visitors a year. Kin is a destination offering traditional Okinawan culture where visitors can enjoy nature and numerous outdoor as well as eco-tourism activities such as kayaking and bird watching. Famous for its rich water resources, Kin also offers a number of spring water wells including the “Ukkagah” spring, a cultural landmark in Kin, which is also known as “The Fountain of Longevity” and has the largest supply of spring water in Okinawa. The Kin Municipal government has also earmarked a redevelopment plan to introduce sports, medical and other healthcare facilities to Kin.

The transformation of a former textile factory into a prestigious £6.4 million Hampton by Hilton hotel in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter has been completed, Anglo Holt Construction has announced.The West Bromwich-based company was awarded the design and build contract by Mere Park to build a 109-bedroom hotel at Constitution Hill, Hockley.

Part of the listed façade of the existing building has been retained while the remainder of the existing factory has been demolished. The site’s boundaries include the Metrotram line to two elevations, a main road to the front, and a Grade II listed pub.

The development has been hailed as another vital element in the on-going regeneration of Birmingham.

Andy Elwell, managing director at Anglo Holt, said: “We are very pleased to announce that the new Hampton by Hilton hotel development in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter has been completed. It is another piece in the jigsaw of the regeneration of one of the most important parts of the city centre. Once again it demonstrates that clients value highly the experience and expertise Anglo Holt has gained in the hotel sector over many years.”

Luke Crane, Jewellery Quarter BID manager, said: “The extensive investment in the new Hampton by Hilton hotel is a very visible demonstration of business confidence in the Jewellery Quarter. Its close proximity to Snow Hill train station will provide an added incentive to visitors to spend a night or extended stay in the Quarter.”

Lodging Econometrics’ (LE’s) forecast predicts New Hotel Openings of 739 Projects/ 82,587 Rooms for 2015, representing a growth rate for new supply of 1.6%. This is a slow, moderate but steady uptrend improvement over 2011’s cyclical bottom of 346 Projects/ 37,193 Rooms. Despite these increases, the industry is still far way from the peak for New Openings of 1,341 Projects/ 154,258 Rooms set in 2008, a feat that will not likely be repeated until late this decade, if at all.DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT HERE

Colliers International has been instructed to sell The Old Brewery House Hotel, one of the town’s best known establishments in Reepham, Norfolk. The hotel, which was operated by Oxford Hotels and Inns has closed this week and Colliers International is now seeking offers in excess of £800,000 for the Grade II listed property, which includes a 23 bedrooms, bar, restaurant, and leisure complex a gym, swimming pool and squash courts. Ashley Clark, Director at Colliers International, said: “We are confident that we will be able to find a new owner to invest in the hotel and realise the great potential of this property. Over the last few years during the difficult economic climate, we have handled many similar cases of hotels which have ceased trading but we have still been able to reach a positive outcome for the previous owners and the local community.”

Colliers has recently handled the sale of the Restover Lodge in Peterborough which went into administration and the Elizabeth Hotels portfolio. In the local Norfolk area, Colliers was also responsible for the sale of two trading hotels, The George in Norwich and George in Swaffham, both of which sold very quickly to the hotel market.

The Old Brewery is a listed Georgian building was built in 1729 and originally named the Dial House because of a large sundial over the front door. In 1972, it was converted into a commercial hotel and renamed The Old Brewery House Hotel in recognition of its previous role as residence of the Bircham family that had run a brewery in Reepham for several generations, and because one of the hotel’s principal rooms used to be the brewery.

Earls Court 18-21 September 2013
The Gateway – Feature S30

100% Design is collaborating with The Furniture Makers Company to promote British design excellence through the Design Guild Mark.The Design Guild Mark, introduced by The Furniture Makers Company in 2008, recognises and rewards excellence in the British design of furniture in volume production.

William Knight, show director of 100% Design comments:
“Celebrating and promoting the very best of British production furniture is a central part of what defines 100% Design. Providing a platform for the Design Guild Mark is a great privilege for us, working with an amazing array of talent in both the chosen products and illustrious selection panel. This year’s selection promises to be a key highlight of The Gateway; a new feature celebrating UK design excellence at the heart of the show.”

In this, the fifth year of the Design Guild Mark awards there were a very high number of applications. The design of most entries reflected exceptional quality, and sixteen products, all of which demonstrated the standard of British design expected by the esteemed judges were awarded a Design Guild Mark.

Ten of these twenty one highly regarded products will be exhibited at 100% Design this year:

• Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby – The Sofa Collection for Knoll International DGM 76
• Samuel Chan – Finnieston Bookcase for Channels DGM 78
• Ali Edwards – Navajo for John Lewis DGM 81
• Mark Gabbertas – Diabolo for Chorus Furniture DGM 82
• Mark Gabbertas – Metro for Lyndon Design DGM 83
• Mark Gabbertas – Mir for Chorus Furniture DGM 84
• Terry Hunt – UniteSE ‘Spacestation’ for KI DGM 87
• James Irvine – Juno for Arper DGM 88
• Je-Uk Kim – Credenza O for JiB design studio DGM 89
• Wales & Wales – Marylebone Chairs for Benchmark DGM 94

Graham Jones, Chairman of the Design Guild Mark commented:
“The Design Guild Mark aim has always been to elevate the awareness of the work of British designers. 100% Design now plays a major part in this ambition”

The Furniture Makers Company introduced the Design Guild Mark to reward the finest furniture designers working in volume production in Britain and the best of British furniture designers working abroad.

Design Guild Mark “Call for Entries 2014” will also be launched at the exhibition. To find out further information about the submission procedure and view some of the awarded products please visit stand S30.

Economy hotel group ibis opens its first Brighton hotel. The ibis Brighton City Centre hotel is close to Brighton train station and just minutes from the city’s seafront.All 140 of the newly-built hotel’s bedrooms feature free, high quality Wi-Fi as well as the ergonomically-engineered Sweet Bed by ibis ™ designed to deliver the ultimate happy sleep. Thirty-six of the bedrooms are tailor-made for family and group travellers; featuring twin beds and interconnecting shared spaces.

The hotel’s communal areas are based on the ‘Avanzi’ principle, creating an inviting living space where guests can relax, socialise and work. The hotel benefits from display wall featuring artwork created by local Brighton artists, capturing the essence of the seaside city. Local photographer Emma Boyns has also created a 29 metre bespoke photo gallery installation featuring Polaroid style images capturing all aspects of Brighton.

The new-concept restaurant, Fogg’s, inspired by the story of Phileas Fogg, serves dishes from around the world; and offers an as-much-as-you-can-eat hot and cold continental breakfast buffet from 6am to 10am (12pm on weekends). The bar also features selected beers from celebrated local brewer Dark Star.

Commenting on the opening of the ibis Brighton City Centre hotel, Thomas Dubaere, Senior Vice President Ibis Brands Northern Europe, said : “We are very excited to open an ibis in such a great city. We have created a fantastic hotel where guests, whether they are in Brighton for holiday or business, can stay at great value for money. The hotel is minutes walk from the beach and we have included local touches throughout so that guests can experience the unique vibe of the city even inside the hotel.”

Hilton Grand Vacations (“HGV”) officially opened the new Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Craigendarroch Suites (previously Hilton Craigendarroch) on the 6 August following a £4.1 million investment in the property. In the first move of its kind for the company, the previous 45 bedroom Hilton hotel has become part of Hilton Grand Vacations and been converted into 32 vacation club suites. The venue’s restaurants, lounge and leisure facilities have also seen significant investment and it is hoped that the new facilities will attract an additional 5000 tourists a year to the resort and significantly boost spend in the area.

The Craigendarroch Suites fully complement the 99 lodges already available at the resort which have operated under the timeshare model since 1985. In addition to being available to buy under a timeshare programme the Craigendarroch Suites will, during the period they are being sold, continue to accept traditional hotel room night bookings.

The investment in the Craigendarroch Suites forms part of a European expansion plan for Hilton Grand Vacations with also sees a new resort of 31 apartments open at Borgo alle Vigne in Tuscany later this year.

Richard McIntosh, Managing Director, Hilton Grand Vacations Europe, Middle East & Africa, said: “The commitment from Hilton Grand Vacations to adding new resorts in Europe, and in particular the investment to reposition Craigendarroch, is encouraging for our membership as we add new destinations that as a club member they will be able to visit and enjoy.

Hilton Grand Vacations has worked with Crerar architects and Cunningham Mclean interior designers to create the 32 luxury vacation club suites which range from sleeping two to six people. Each suite is unique in design, but includes bedroom and lounge complete with small kitchen area.

The Craigendarroch Suites will also feature the Keiller Brasserie and Keiller Lounge; named in honour of the Keiller family (Keiller’s Marmalade) who originally built the house in 1891 as a family home.

The Brasserie will offer a full menu of local produce including steak and salmon, and will continue to offer family friendly dishes for all age groups while the lounge provides a relaxing environment to unwind after enjoying the activities both the resort and surrounding area have to offer.

Facilities at Craigendarroch include swimming pools, spa, sauna, gym, snooker, tennis, squash, bar, beauty treatments and hairdresser, all combining to enhance the guest’s stay whether they wish have action packed days, or simply to relax.

Hotels has experienced a 28 per cent uplift in UK hotel transactional activity in the 12 month period to July 2013 when compared to the same period of the previous year. Julian Troup, Head of Colliers International Hotels Agency says: “We have seen an uplift in the level of demand from private and corporate buyers looking to invest in UK hotels.”“There are reasons for real optimism in terms of the transactional activity taking place in the UK hotel market – contrary to the belief of some – we, at Colliers International, are remaining busy and productive, in the 12 months to July 2013 we have sold or acquired 91 hotels and hospitality businesses with a combined value of in excess of £150,000,000.”

In terms of corporate interest there is a clear movement from institutional, investors and Private Equity backed buyers keener to consider the more attractive pricing of larger provincial hotels when compared with full prices that continue to be obtained for hotels in and around London.

Troup continues: “We are currently marketing the sale of Oakley Court Hotel, Windsor where we have been inundated with domestic and international interest and it is clear from this and from other instructions that quality continues to drive the market and there remains a significant demand for quality assets and locations.

“There is also more evidence of private buyers being able to sell their house releasing them to look more seriously at buying a hotel or guest house – we are experiencing strong demand from buyers looking in the Hot Spots of the Lake District, the Cotswolds, the North Yorkshire Dales and Moors, New Forest and other National Parks throughout the UK.”

In recent years, Colliers has witnessed more and more hoteliers concentrating on generating more ‘profitable’ business; coupled with improved cost control. As a consequence even those hotels that are ‘flat lining’ in terms of revenue are now showing an increase in profit margins, which is helping to underpin values and prices that are currently being achieved.

“Additionally in recent months, the staycation trend and the hot summer has improved investor confidence as we’ve seen an increasing the level of enquiries for leisure based UK hotels,” Troup concludes.

Whitbread’s Premier Inn brand has claimed the accolade of best known hotel brand in Britain, knocking Hilton off the top perch.The most recent quarterly update on the British Hotel Guest Survey, just published by BDRC Continental, shows Premier Inn on 58% unaided awareness amongst business travellers, and so ahead of Hilton for the first time ever in this market segment, albeit just by a single percentage point. Hilton previously had been the No.1 brand for top of mind awareness in the business market since 1996, when it eclipsed Forte.

Amongst leisure market travellers Premier Inn reached the top spot for unaided hotel brand awareness for the first occasion in the comparable quarter in 2012 and in the most recent report has stretched its lead in this segment, with a score of 66%, to six points over nearest rival Travelodge, with Hilton now in third place.

For actual hotel brand usage Premier Inn and Travelodge are now the top two players in both the business and the leisure travel segments; this is the first time this has been recorded.

Tim Sander, Head of Hotel Brand Monitoring Services at BDRC Continental, commented: ‘While it has taken some time for the sheer distribution of the leading budget hotel brands to be reflected in consumer perceptions, now that Premier Inn and Travelodge are at the top of the pole they will take some shifting and the course of the market appears set for some time to come.’

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) and Inmobiliaria GEEMAJI, S.A. de C.V., has recently announced the opening of the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Cuernavaca. The ribbon cutting was by Mr. Graco Ramírez, Constitutional Governor of the State of Morelos and the opening was attended by guests spanning the political and tourism sectors such as Lic. Jaime Álvarez, Ministry of Tourism of the State of Morelos; Dr. Jorge Morales Barut, Mayor of Cuernavaca; and media representatives.Located in one of the main avenues of the city in Av. Morelos Sur 133 and near the CIVAC Industrial Park, the hotel is just a few minutes from downtown and main city attractions, and just 2 km from the Mexico-Acapulco highway. The project was overseen by Grupo y Constructora Prisma-Ximetria and has generated over 400 direct and indirect jobs.

The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Cuernavaca is designed in line with the Holiday Inn Brand Family’s $1 billion 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 hotel features a contemporary image with emphasis on arrival and welcome services, guestroom and guest bath comfort and a redesigned logo and signage.

All 124 rooms including the 20 junior suites have panoramic city views and all are equipped with complimentary wireless internet access, ironing kit (iron and ironing board), coffee maker, safety deposit box, 40” flat screen TV, radio-alarm clock with support for audio and a desk with an ergonomic chair. Other amenities include a fully equipped fitness center, a meeting room, a heated swimming pool, covered and open parking, and a boutique shop onsite.

Guests experience a comfortable and smart environment with innovative preferred guest upgrades to ensure a pleasurable experience. The complimentary Express Start® breakfast bar features a full range of breakfast items, including a rotation of egg and meat selections, biscuits, yogurt, fruit, pancakes, the brand’s proprietary cinnamon roll, and Smart Roast® coffee. The SimplySmart™ shower incorporates a proprietary Stay Smart™ Kohler showerhead, signature shower curtain with curved rod. Upgraded 100 percent cotton terry towels and 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 Hotel & Suites Cuernavaca, owned and managed by Inmobiliaria GEEMAJI, S.A. de C.V., is franchised by an affiliate of IHG.

Anglo Holt has started work on a £4 million Premier Inn hotel in Hackney, London. They were awarded the design and build contract by clients Davies Street Dalston Limited.The 90-bedroom hotel on Dalston Lane, which is being built on a former brownfield site, will provide accommodation over six floors.

The new hotel is within walking distance of Hackney Central tube station, providing good links to central London.

The 39-week hotel project is due to be completed by March 2014.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., the leader in luxury hospitality, has confirmed their first hotel in Israel will officially open its doors in late 2013. The Ritz-Carlton, Herzliya is located in the exclusive residential seafront town north of Tel Aviv, and will be the first global luxury branded hotel in the country.Located on the Marina overlooking the Mediterranean, the hotel and was designed by a collection of internationally recognized architects and designers. Rani Ziss Architects Ltd. designed the 12-storey property and New York-based interior design firm Studio Gaia created the interiors with Israeli studio Gad Halperin producing the lobby and restaurant concepts. The 197 room property includes 82 suites all with stunning sea views and balconies. As the first urban resort in Israel, the property offers a unique beach front experience with leisure amenities including a roof-top swimming pool with sweeping panoramic views of the beach. The Ritz-Carlton Spa and Fitness Centre both have Mediterranean views and outdoor relaxation terraces, while sailing, surfing and other water sports are within a short stroll of the property.

Renowned Chef Yonathon Roshfeld will create his first kosher dining experience at the Herbet Samuel restaurant within The Ritz-Carlton by using local, seasonal local produce complemented by kosher lsraeli and international wines. A panoramic rooftop bar will offer sweeping views overlooking of the coastline.

Facilities for business travellers at the property include 4,500 square feet of meeting space with views of the Marina for both business and social events and a Business Centre.

The City of Miami Beach has announced that South Beach ACE – a team including OMA, Tishman Realty and UIA Management – is the winner of the Miami Beach Convention Center redevelopment competition. OMA’s design will transform Miami Beach’s convention center into a 21st century facility, adding an 800-room hotel, new ballroom and meeting facilities and a large public park, while reducing the overall footprint of the site and creating new connections with the urban fabric of Miami Beach.While the convention center is a valuable cultural and economic asset for Miami Beach – it is the venue of Art Basel Miami Beach, the Miami International Boat Show, and other major events – it has become in recent decades a physical and social barrier within the city, with huge parking lots, closed facades and under-utilized urban space. To undo this situation, South Beach ACE engaged with local communities from the onset of the seven month design competition.

The design conceptually rotates the convention center, enabling strong east-west neighborhood connections through the site, running from the beach to the city. With loading consolidated to the north, and the new concourse and main entry located on the south, the building has a clear face to Lincoln Road, while maintaining access on the east side for visitors walking from the nearby beach hotels. The center will be set back from Washington Avenue, reducing the building’s footprint on the ground, and allowing a porous façade so that events inside the center can move outside.

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Hotel Bulletin: Q2 2013, which gives an update on the performance of UK hotels, was recently published by global hotel consultancy HVS, Zolfo Cooper and AM:PM.

It was good news for hotels as Q2 shows consistent improvement in RevPAR and cost control resulting in hotels in the regions increasing profitability year-on-year for the first time since the downturn. New supply levels are low but there are strong levels of hotels in the pipeline, while a number of single asset sales suggest that the gap in valuation expectation is continuing to narrow.

The debt market for hotels has widened to include alternative providers such as debt funds, credit investors and family offices.

Said HVS director Tim Smith: “The performance improvement comes as a welcome relief for hotels in the regions. We need this to continue for a few months to have an impact on both the top and bottom lines, and more importantly increase confidence for both operators and investors. Only then will the recovery be truly underway.

“The lack of new openings is the calm following the storm of openings in 2012. There are plenty of hotels in the pipeline, so this is a blip rather than a trend.

“The budget brands continue to dominate the new build pipelines as they are occupied under leases so have been able to secure funding in the recent past. This is likely to continue until development funding is widely available, which will only happen when confidence returns, which in turn is dependent on a sustained improvement in trading.

“Debt funders are slowly returning to the market and widening the number and type of hotels they will consider funding; there is still a long way to go. Other debt providers, such as insurance companies are slowly entering the real estate market, but are yet to show any interest in hotels,” added Smith.

The latest Hotel Bulletin can be downloaded below, and includes a City focus on Liverpool, whose recent performance is impressive given that the city’s room supply has doubled in the past decade.

Santa Monica’s City Staff has announced their recommendation of OMA’s competition proposal for a mixed use development that encompasses civic plaza, cultural venue, retail, residences, offices and a boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Santa Monica.The building integrates a ground level plaza and elevated terraces that provide an additional 56,500 sf of programmable open space compared to the original site. These public spaces are capable of hosting a wide range of outdoor programming, including a market galleria and the existing public ice rink. A cultural venue is embedded at the heart of the building, with street level access and a dedicated park.

The site will be anchored by office spaces designed to create a hub for the growing tech industry within the greater Los Angeles area. The office complex will be supported by a boutique hotel offering 225 rooms with unobstructed views of the city, beach and mountains. The project will also provide pedestrian improvements such as wide sidewalks, bike lanes, landscaping, street furniture and additional public parking.

The recommendation will be reviewed by Santa Monica’s City Council on August 27th before the project formally proceeds in 2014.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts announced today that the 571-room hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico, formerly known as Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza, has been renamed and rebranded as The Condado Plaza Hilton. Joining more than 550 Hilton hotels and resorts in 79 countries across six continents, The Condado Plaza Hilton now represents the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand’s fourth hotel on the island.Designed by renowned architect Morris Lapidus, the Condado Plaza – the hotel’s original name – was inaugurated in 1963. Since then, the San Juan hotel has shared a wealth of names, including its own historic connection to Hilton, having once operated as the San Geronimo Hilton. In 2008, the property was revamped and redesigned by noted designer Leo Daly, and in 2009, branded as part of Hilton Worldwide’s Conrad Hotels & Resorts portfolio.

The new name, which places the hotel’s original name at the forefront – The Condado Plaza Hilton – represents the significant value placed on the hotel’s heritage on the island, as well as Hilton’s history in Puerto Rico.

“Puerto Rico holds special significance to Hilton Hotels & Resorts, as Hilton International was launched with the opening of the Caribe Hilton, San Juan in 1949, and then enjoyed having the San Geronimo Hilton in its portfolio for several years. We are proud to reconnect this hotel with its roots, both as The Condado Plaza and as a member of Hilton Hotels & Resorts,” said Danny Hughes, senior vice president, Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America, Hilton Worldwide.

While embracing the hotel’s historic roots, the rebranded The Condado Plaza Hilton will maintain its distinct DNA as the only city retreat in San Juan overlooking both the Atlantic Ocean and Condado Lagoon, and now welcome guests to the Hilton Hotels & Resorts’brand promise of providing refreshing hospitality while ensuring that every guest feels cared for, valued and respected.

“This is an exciting time for us as we once again form part of the Hilton Hotels & Resorts portfolio – a powerful and respected brand on the island,” said Raúl Bustamante, managing director, The Condado Plaza Hilton. “The Condado Plaza Hilton will continue to offer our guests the high level of quality service they have come to enjoy, with the same management and team committed to delivering a warm and friendly welcome.”

The Condado Plaza Hilton is the fourth Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in Puerto Rico, joining Caribe Hilton, San Juan; El San Juan Resort & Casino, A Hilton Hotel; and Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort.

One of London’s oldest hotels has been given a new lease of life following a multi—million pound refurbishment.The Barkston Gardens Hotel, Earl’s Court, which dates back to 1886, has been re-launched as the Hotel Indigo London Kensington – Earl’s Court by its owner the Cairn Hotel Group.

The Newcastle-based leisure firm, which has owned the site for more than 20 years, has invested £7m to transform it into a modern, boutique hotel and bring it in line with Hotel Indigo’s exacting brand standards.

As a result of this multi-million pound makeover the property now boasts 100 individually-decorated bedrooms, including 22 executive rooms and 11 junior suites, each with a complimentary mini-bar and free WiFi.

It also houses a new bar, themed around an 1890s private members club, which specialises in carbonated and molecular cocktails, as well as serving a range of dishes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea.

Vincent Garrington, General Manager at the Hotel Indigo London Kensington – Earl’s Court, said, “A lot of money has been spent transforming this landmark property into a modern, boutique hotel befitting of the Hotel Indigo brand.

The Cairn Hotel Group, which owns and operates 22 hotels across the UK, already works with a number of high profile brands including Doubletree by Hilton, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn.

The Hotel Indigo London Kensington – Earl’s Court is the firm’s first site to open under the Intercontinental Hotels Group’s Hotel Indigo brand, with the Hotel Indigo Edinburgh set to follow in 2014.

Since the refurbishment of Hotel Indigo London Kensington – Earl’s Court was completed in December the hotel has been awarded a Trip Advisor Award for Outstanding Customer Service and enjoyed trade levels 25 per cent higher than originally predicted.

This success was recently marked with a special Victorian-themed celebration, where ex-England cricketer Darren Gough, declared the Hotel Indigo London Kensington – Earl’s Court officially open.

Vincent said: “From the chic décor to the high standards of customer service and the unique cocktails on offer in the Mansion Bar and Parlour, no detail has been overlooked and everyone at the Cairn Hotel Group is proud of what has already been achieved.”

The Vodaphone headquarter in Düsseldorf, completed after 28 months of construction works, is the new working place for 5,000 Vodaphone employees. This investment of €300 Million follows a new concept of a working environment which includes restaurants, medical centre, gym and a daycare facility for children, allowing their parents to bring forward both their career and their family.In the main restaurant with about 1,200 seats Baulmann Leuchten supplied the luminaires, developed and produced according to the lighting concept of Kardorff Engineers Berlin.

All pictures are copyright by “Vodafone/Jens Howorka”

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has recently announced plans to expand its hotel portfolio in Mexico by 30 percent, emphasizing the important role the country plays in Starwood’s Americas growth strategy and its prominence in the global travel market. Starwood continues to lengthen its lead as the largest operator in the upper-upscale hotel segment in Mexico with eight new hotels in its development pipeline that will add nearly 1,100 rooms. Mexico is Starwood’s largest market in Latin America with 24 hotels and a total of 4,800 rooms, representing eight of the company’s nine brands including the recently launched Aloft brand, which made it s debut in Cancun. Leading Luxury Footprint
Starwood currently has eight luxury hotels in Mexico, more than in any other Latin American market between its St. Regis, W and The Luxury Collection brands, and the company will expand its luxury portfolio in the country by 50 percent over the next three years to meet increasing demand. Hotels under development include:
• W Santa Fe located in the desirable Santa Fe business district with spectacular views of the Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl volcanoes.
• W Retreat Kanai Riviera Maya nestled on the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula; the first W resort in the region.
• The St. Regis Kanai Riviera Maya, which will bring the brand’s bespoke style of luxury to the resort area and represent the brand’s third hotel in Latin America, joining St. Regis Mexico City and St. Regis Punta Mita.
• Frida Kahlo® Guadalajara, A Luxury Collection hotel in Guadalajara, marking the brand’s entry into this growing city.
Growth Across Portfolio

“Starwood is ideally positioned to take advantage of positive trends given our robust and growing footprint in Mexico where we have been present for more than 40 years,” said Osvaldo Librizzi, Co-President Starwood Hotels & Resorts Americas. “Mexico will continue to be a focal point of our expansion strategy in Latin America where we are on track to have 100 hotels in operation and development by the end of 2013.”

In the next three years, Starwood will open four specialty-select brand hotels, including two new Aloft hotels in Merida, Guadalajara and two Four Points by Sheraton hotels in Queretaro and Cancun.

SPG Partnership with Aeromexico Club Premier
As part of its commitment to deliver benefits beyond the guestroom to SPG members, Starwood also announces a global partnership with Aeromexico Club Premier, the frequent flyer program associated with Aeromexico, the national airline of Mexico. The new program, which launches on July 15th, will allow Club Premier Members to transfer points from their SPG account to their Club Premier accounts in order to convert them into Premier Kilometers.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has recently announced that the iconic Palacio del Inka in Cusco has now joined The Luxury Collection portfolio following an extensive $15 million renovation. Owned by Libertador Hotels, Resorts & Spas, Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Cusco has been redesigned for a new generation of luxury travellers, offering discreet and personalized service in the in the iconic ancient capital of Peru. Situated at the heart of Cusco, the historic Palacio del Inka is located directly across from the preserved ruins of the Koricancha, or Temple of the Sun. With a striking Spanish Colonial façade, Palacio del Inka was originally part of the Incan civilization in the early 15th century and later designed and inhabited by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. The hotel is a true reflection of Cusco’s diverse and vibrant culture, architecture and design. The extensive two-year project was led by Latin America architectural and interior design firm Caparra Entelman & Asociados, in collaboration with local artisans, craftsmen and the community.

Guestrooms
Palacio del Inka features 203 luxuriously appointed guestrooms, including 17 Casa de los Cuatro Bustos Suites. The ancient walls are still part of the structure while the interior design, paintings, and furnishings evoke Peru’s colonial past. The suites boast 13-foot ceilings and exuberantly rich textiles, and all guestrooms feature custom-designed carved wooden doors, chests and writing desks which complement vintage paintings and mirrors: both celebrating the hotel’s distinct personality while preserving its authentic elegance and rich heritage of the building.

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Marriott International, Inc. has announced plans to open the 250-room Moscow Marriott Hotel Crocus City in Russia under a management agreement with CJSC Crocus International. The hotel is expected to open in 2016 and will be part of the company’s signature global brand, Marriott Hotels, and 10th property opened or signed in the Moscow area.The Moscow Marriott Hotel Crocus City will be ideally located within a new shopping and residential complex in Crocus City, a satellite city of Moscow and well-known business district. Russia’s biggest trade fair and exhibition venue, Crocus Expo, will be a few minutes’ walk from the hotel together with a luxury shopping mall, concert hall and multitude of restaurants and bars. Crocus City is very well connected with a private metro station, marina on the Moskva River and heliport.

Overlooking the river, the hotel will offer comfortable, contemporary accommodation across its 250 rooms. Public areas will boast free Wi-Fi, promoting productivity and connectivity, while the lobby will provide a space to work, relax and recharge by merging modern, stylish design, comfort and technology. The hotel’s two restaurants and bars will offer guests an array of dining options.

Leisure facilities will include a health and leisure club with an indoor pool, sauna, steam room and treatment room. Meetings will be expertly catered for across the hotel’s 1,550 square metres of meeting space, featuring a 650 square metre ballroom divisible by four, six flexible meeting rooms and two boardrooms.

Second quarter, 2013
 Like-for like (“L/L”) RevPAR was up by 6.0%.
 Revenue increased by 4.2% to MEUR 248.9 (238.9). On a L/L basis
Revenue increased by 7.0%.
 EBITDA amounted to MEUR 34.9 (22.7), and the EBITDA margin was 14.0%
(9.5).
 Profit after tax amounted to MEUR 17.4 (6.2).
 Basic and diluted Earnings Per Share was EUR 0.12 (0.04).
 Ca 1,800 new rooms were contracted and ca 800 new rooms opened. Half year, 2013
 L/L RevPAR was up by 5.9%.
 Revenue increased by 2.3% to MEUR 456.0 (445.8).
On a L/L basis Revenue increased by 3.9%.
 EBITDA amounted to MEUR 32.1 (17.7), and the EBITDA margin was 7.0%
(4.0).
 Profit after tax amounted to MEUR 6.2 (-7.9).
 Basic and diluted Earnings Per Share was EUR 0.04 (-0.05).
 Cash flow from operating activities amounted to MEUR 6.6 (-10.7).
 Ca 2,900 new rooms were contracted and ca 1,700 new rooms opened.

To read the full report, click the download link below

An old saying goes, “Beijing represents the last 1,000 years of Chinese history and Shanxi represents the last 3,000 years”. Located in the centre of the Dragon City, Kempinski Hotel Taiyuan is a contemporary hotel that blends European flair with Chinese tradition. The hotel is close to the city’s main shopping centres, such as Tianmei Plaza, Fashion Walk, Wangfujing, Parkson and Lufthansa Centre, as well as upscale office buildings. It is only three kilometres away from Shanxi International Exhibition Centre and guests will need only 20 minutes to reach the international airport by car. The hotel features 363 rooms and suites, all of which are contemporarily designed and range from 40 to 217 sqm in size. Each room is equipped with a coffee machine, wooden floors, rainforest showers and bathtubs. Located on the 30th floor and the 28th floor, respectively, the Executive Suites and Diplomatic Suites offer a separate living room and a sitting area, in addition to extra-large furnishings and bath amenities designed by French designer Blaise Mautin. Guests in Executive Rooms have access to the Executive Lounge, which offers views of Taiyuan and valuable privileges such as a complimentary breakfast, weekend brunch from 7:00 to 14:00, complimentary use of the lounge meeting room for two hours per day plus afternoon tea and evening cocktails daily. Kempinski Hotel Taiyuan introduces global cuisines and brand new dining concepts to the old city as well. A selection of German, Austrian and Chinese delicacies and creative, freshly-baked cakes is offered in the hotel’s seven restaurants and bars. With a complete set of miniature beer brewing equipment and a German brewmaster, Paulaner Bräuhaus is the best place for enjoying homebrewed Paulaner beer and real Bavarian traditions. Grill & Wine offers diners authentic Western grilled dishes and the finest meats from around the world, all of which have been perfected by the Australian Executive Head Chef. Elements restaurant, with views of the hotel lobby’s dangling crystal droplight, features imported seafood, tastes from around the world and Shanxi noodles that are freshly prepared in the show kitchen. Long Yuan is a high-end Chinese restaurant with a touch of Western tradition, designed by a chef from Hong Kong with more than 20 years of experience. Kempi Deli, the signature delicatessen shop, offers freshly-baked breads and cakes in addition to personalised homemade wedding cakes. Guest can dine in to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the bakery with a cup of freshly-brewed coffee or take away a box of sweet treats to surprise family and friends.

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Set to open in the heart of Estonia’s historic capital, Hilton Tallinn becomes Hilton Worldwide’s first property to be announced in the Baltic States. The upscale hotel is expected to begin welcoming guests in 2016 and will be located just a few minutes’ walk from the historic old town and major commercial areas of the city, making it an ideal choice for both business and leisure guests.The announcement comes following the signing of a management agreement by Hilton Worldwide with project owner Fortuna Travel OÜ, part of the Olympic Entertainment Group that is publicly listed on the Tallinn and Warsaw Stock Exchange.

The new build hotel will offer 202 guest rooms and suites, as well as facilities including a business center, fitness center, spa with indoor swimming pool and an outdoor sun terrace. In addition, the project designs feature an all-day dining restaurant, with private dining room and lobby bar.

Courtyard by Marriott rolled out its innovative lobby and room design in the heart of Herald Square in midtown Manhattan at the grand opening celebration of the Courtyard New York Manhattan/Herald Square on July 30, 2013.This is the latest Courtyard in the area featuring the Refreshing Business lobby environment, where guests can enjoy an open and flexible space. Along with media pods, Wi-Fi and a variety of seating zones, the redefined space is ideal for everything from pop-up meetings to social gatherings.

The 16-story hotel is housed in the former Atlantic Bank of New York building that was built in 1928 and features an indoor/outdoor rooftop lounge, a fitness centre, guest laundry, and offers 500 square feet of meeting space.

The 167-room Courtyard New York Manhattan/Herald Square also offers a stylish room design that helps guests stay connected, productive and comfortable. Thoughtfully planned, each room features plush bedding, a functional work space, spacious bathrooms, a separate seating area and complimentary in-room high-speed Internet.

Located at 71 West 35th Street, the hotel is owned by Hidrock Realty and managed by Marriott International, Inc. The Courtyard New York Manhattan/Herald Square is directly across from Macy’s and within walking distance to the Empire State Building on Fifth Avenue, Times Square and Madison Square Garden. Its unique location is perfect for viewing the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The open, bright and contemporary Courtyard hotel lobby welcomes guests with vivid contrasting colours, including blue, green, orange and red. Flexible seating options range from a communal table in the middle of the action, to more private media booths with high-definition televisions, to a more intimate, semi-enclosed lounge area.

The Bistro at Courtyard offers casual, flexible seating; easy access to food and higher quality, healthier menu options for breakfast; and light evening fare, including snacks, cocktails, wine and beer so guests can unwind. Coffee lovers can also enjoy freshly brewed Starbucks coffee. The MarketTM, a 24/7 shop for snacks, beverages and sundries, is always open for late-night cravings or the toothpaste guests may have forgotten to pack.

A key component of the Courtyard lobby is the GoBoard® 4.0, which presents local information, maps, weather, and headline news on a 55-inch LCD touch screen. Designed with today’s busy traveller in mind, the award-winning GoBoard® features mobile integration, enabling guests to send directions from the GoBoard® directly to their smart phones. Guests can also touch the screen for immediate access to detailed flight information for local airports, popular entertainment and local event information, as well as walking directions.

Throughout the hotel, guests can connect to complimentary Wi-Fi, and there are ample electrical outlets in the lobby to power digital devices. The business library features several computer terminals, along with a printer and separate computer stations dedicated solely to printing airline boarding passes and checking flight status.

The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the most dynamic hotel companies worldwide and a member of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, has signed 11 hotels with almost 1,800 rooms in the second quarter of 2013. During the same period, Rezidor has also opened 3 hotels with 450 rooms and extended 3 hotels (350 rooms). At the end of June, Rezidor’s operating portfolio comprises 335 hotels with 74,000 rooms in 56 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.Rezidor’s openings in Q2 2013 were:
Park Inn by Radisson, Glasgow City Centre; UK – 91 rooms
Radisson Blu Hotel, Bremen; Germany – 235 rooms
Radisson Blu Hotel, Istanbul Pera; Turkey – 130 rooms

Room extensions in Q2 2013 were:
Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Bergen; Norway – 69 rooms
Radisson Blu Hotel Bamako; Mali – 117 rooms
Radisson Blu Resort Alushta; Ukraine – 150 rooms

TOTAL: 792 rooms

“Both our openings and signings continue to reflect our focus on profitable, asset-light growth in the Emerging Markets of Russia/CIS and Africa and in selected focus countries like Turkey”, commented Wolfgang M. Neumann, President & CEO of Rezidor. The most significant opening was the Radisson Blu Hotel, Istanbul Pera – a new First Class property featuring 130 rooms and being Rezidor’s 4th Radisson Blu hotel in Istanbul. A further Radisson Blu hotel in Istanbul is scheduled to open in late 2013 and will make Rezidor the largest international upper upscale hotel operator in town; offering 5 Radisson Blu hotels with a total of 1,000+ rooms. Rezidor also targets further key destinations across Turkey – an economically strong hub between Europe and Asia – for an ambitious development of the core brands Radisson Blu (upper upscale) and Park Inn by Radisson (mid-market).

Among Rezidor’s signings in Q2 2013 were 2 hotels in sub-Saharan Africa where the group already operates 15 hotels with 3,000 rooms and holds the largest pipeline of internationally branded rooms under development (22 hotels with 4,000 rooms): The Park Inn by Radisson, Kigali in Rwanda with 161 rooms is scheduled to open in early 2013; and the Park Inn by Radisson Hotel Abuja, Kaura in Nigeria with 150 rooms shall welcome the first guests in early 2015. “Sub-Saharan Africa’s politically stable capital cities and financial hubs offer high potential development options. We aim to establish Radisson Blu as the premier upper upscale brand in the region and to pursue a scaled growth of our mid-market offer Park Inn by Radisson”, said Elie Younes, Senior Vice President & Head of Group Development of Rezidor.

Among the signings in Rezidor’s European home markets was the Radisson Blu Hotel, Rouen in France: The 91 rooms-property in walking distance from Rouen’s railway station brings Rezidor’s French portfolio to 23 hotels in operation and under development, and further strengthens Radisson Blu as the largest upper upscale brand in the country. Rouen itself is the capital of the Haute-Normandie region and driven by heavy industry – it is e.g. home to the head offices of Renault and Peugeot.

Marriott International has recently announced the opening of the 155-unit The OCT Harbour, Shenzhen Marriott Executive Apartments. This is Marriott International’s first extended stay property in South China, showing its continued growth and commitment to China.The OCT Harbour, Shenzhen – Marriott Executive Apartments cover a total area of over 27,000sqm. The property has accommodation of 155 units encompassing studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites. Each spacious apartment allows guests to feel the authentic experience of living in the city. With separated warm-coloured bedroom, contemporary living room and office area and a fully equipped, state-of-the-art kitchen – Marriott Executive Apartments are the perfect home-away-from-home with tranquil ambience and all the benefits of a hotel. Concierge desk, foreign exchange, limousine service, and even a grocery shopping service are only a phone call away. The Resident Lounge, 24-hour gym, outdoor pool, kids’ pool, children’s playroom, and valet dry cleaning are among the services on offer.

Located in the Central business district of Shenzhen Bay, the OCT Harbour is set to become one of China’s most fashionable and international entertainment destinations with its combination of varied concepts including culture, dining, ecology and entertainment in one exciting new venue. Together with the Marriott Executive Apartments, the Harbour boasts the country’s first international waterfront shopping complex, multi-media water show theatre, high-end cultural and commercial exhibition centre as well as Dream Aquarium, Myrules World and Shenzhen’s largest five-star flagship cinema.

Featuring a unique urban nature reserve, the OCT Harbour also links together the OCT Wetland Park and Coco Beach with the Binhai Seaside Promenade and Hongshulin Mangrove Forest conservation to form a larger-than-life ecological reserve. In addition to their ideal location, the apartments are also close to popular attractions such as The Window of the World, Splendid China, Happy Valley and Shenzhen Bay Park.