CapitaLand’s wholly-owned serviced residence business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), is geared up to open Ascott Marunouchi Tokyo – the first luxury serviced residence in Japan under the premier Ascott The Residence brand on 30 March 2017. Located in the prime Marunouchi-Otemachi area, the exquisite property will offer an exclusive living experience in the country’s biggest and most prestigious international financial centre. Ascott Marunouchi Tokyo is part of an integrated...
Virgin Hotels, the lifestyle hotel brand by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, has announced plans to open and operate a new hotel in San Francisco, California. Expected to open in the Summer of 2017, the San Francisco property will be managed by Virgin Hotels and developed by Paradigm Hotels Group. Virgin Hotels CEO Raul Leal commented, “San Francisco is a dynamic, forward-thinking city that embodies so much of what Virgin Hotels stands for, and is already home to many fans of the...
Pan Pacific Hotels Group (PPHG) has announced the appointment of Lothar Wilhelm Nessmann as its new Chief Executive Officer effective 1 March 2017, following the departure of Bernold O Schroder in December 2016. PPHG, a wholly-owned hotel subsidiary of Singapore-listed UOL Group, is one of Asia’s most established hotel and property companies. Headquartered in Singapore, PPHG owns and/or manages over 30 hotels, resorts and serviced suites, with nearly 12,000 rooms, across Asia, Oceania, North...
It still smells new at the Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach. Located at the corner of Seaside Ave. and Kuhio Ave., there could not be a better more central location in Waikiki. In January 2015, Hyatt Hotels Corporation introduced Hyatt Centric, a new, full-service lifestyle brand designed for business and leisure travelers. Mark Hoplamazian, president and chief executive officer, Hyatt said in January 2015: “Hyatt Centric travelers are looking for a cosmopolitan vibe in the center of...
Since its opening in 2014, Mövenpick Hotel Apartments Al Mamzar has implemented eco-friendly initiatives from the installation of motion sensors for corridor lights and wash-basins in all its guest rooms and employee quarters, to the replacement of all existing halogen bulb lights to LED. Today, it celebrates a successful business year 2016 for achieving its Gross Operating Profit through improvising economical solutions that positively uplifts its pursuit of sustainable tourism, while...
Green Globe is proud to welcome Hyatt Ziva Cancun to its collection of certified resorts in Mexico. Hyatt Ziva Cancun is the first Hyatt property in Mexico to be certified for its sustainable operations and management. Alexandre de Brouwer, Director General, Hyatt Ziva Cancun said, “We are very proud to have been awarded with the Green Globe certification. As part of the tourism industry and as human beings we have been blessed by Mother Nature and should preserve it for future generations...
Twenty-two employees from the Constance Ephelia Seychelles graduated from the Bridging the Gap Through Holistic Training (BRIGHT) level one program on Monday in a special ceremony held at the resort. The BRIGHT program is an initiative launched in 2010 by Constance Hotels and Resorts. Attending the ceremony were the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, and Principal Secretary for Tourism, Anne Lafortune, among other guests. All trainees passed with 12...
Virgin Hotels, the lifestyle hotel brand by Richard Branson, announces the expansion of Blake Smith’s role from Director of Entertainment at Virgin Hotels Chicago to the brand’s first Executive Director of Entertainment. This newly-created role demonstrates Virgin Hotels’ continued dedication to offering entertainment programming that excites guests and locals alike. Smith will oversee entertainment initiatives brand-wide, including facilitating partnerships, booking talent...
Forbes Travel Guide today unveiled its 59th list of worldwide Star Rating recipients, continuing its exceedingly selective approach for recognizing the world’s finest properties and rewarding gracious, intuitive service. For 2017, the award winners include 38 new Five-Star hotels, 75 new Four-Star hotels and 85new hotels in the Recommended category. Other first-time recipients include seven Five-Star restaurants, 16 Four-Star restaurants and 21 Recommend restaurants. The list also honors...
Wynn Resorts today announced the appointment of Craig S. Billings to the executive team as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Billings is a highly respected veteran of both the gaming and banking industries, and brings extensive experience in business innovation to the company. Mr. Billings has been a key executive in the gaming industry, specializing in digital innovation, mergers and acquisitions and capital structure management. He has held leadership positions at Aristocrat Leisure Limited...
Tribute Portfolio, part of Marriott International, Inc., today announced its debut in China with the addition of The Yuluxe Sheshan, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Shanghai. Owned by Shimao Property Holdings, the hotel joins Tribute Portfolio’s collection of exceptional hotels around the globe, spanning from Palm Springs to Paris, and from Miami to Mendoza. In almost two years, Tribute Portfolio has opened 19 hotels with 14 on the horizon, including The Honghe Nativeland Mile in Yunnan, China...
According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, “Luxury Hotel Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2014-2022”, the luxury hotel market was valued at $15,535 million in 2015, and is projected to reach $20,442 million by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 4.0% from 2016 to 2022. The business hotels segment accounted for around 42% of the total market revenue in 2015. Luxury hotels provide comfortable stay to tourist and travelers along with...
Last month I had a chance to stay at the Centara Grand at CentralWorld Hotel in Bangkok. Attending a conference at the Bangkok Convention Centre, no hotel would have given one easier access than the Centara Grand at CentralWorld. The skyscraper connected to the convention center and the CentralWorld Shopping Center in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The outdoor swimming pool on the 26th floor, together with an award-winning SPA Cenvaree, along with a fitness center and tennis courts with modern...
Tourist hotels and several tourist recreational facilities in Tanzania’s commercial city of Dar es Salaam are in the spotlight, accused of working closely and in connection with illicit drugs and narcotics dealers. The government has listed and targeted a number of tourist hotels in Tanzania’s leading commercial capital, pinpointing their owners, saying they are well connected with illicit drugs and narcotics barons, also harboring drug abusers, dealers, and pushers in the hotels. Dar es...
Stanley Bard, manager and part owner of the Chelsea Hotel in Manhattan for more than 40 years, passed away on February 14, 2017 at 82 years of age. His obituary in the New York Times by Sam Roberts called Bard “a Robin Hood of innkeepers who nurtured talented writers and artists and tolerated assorted deadbeats…” The history of the Chelsea Hotel, before, during and after the Bard family’s operation is so fascinating and unique that I will quote selectively from my book “Built To Last: 100+ Year...
Valmer Resort in Seychelles continues to enhance its guests’ comfort factor with recent upgrades in its customer service experience. The secluded homegrown hotel located in the picturesque Baie Lazare area, is aiming to provide the best hospitality experience in the 4-star category by constantly adding amenities and features to the benefit of its ever-discerning clients. A complete coverage Wi-Fi system is now operational and clients can have access to the worldwide web at the touch of their...
Wynn Resorts today was once again honored as the highest ranking casino resort on FORTUNE Magazine’s 2017 World’s Most Admired Companies list in the hotel, casino and resort category, ranking number three out of 12 internationally distinguished hospitality companies. Wynn Resorts ranked first overall in the category of Quality of Products/Services among all international hotel companies. The company also received high marks for Innovation, People Management, and Quality of...
Park Hotel Tokyo announced on February 21 that it will hold an art exhibition titled “Spring of Prism Go Ogawa Exhibition” from March 20 to May 28, 2017. Park Hotel Tokyo holds four art exhibitions a year, offering guests hospitality with Japanese aesthetics of each season. For the spring exhibition, artist Go Ogawa will show the fascinating light of a prism in the hotel atrium space using the diffuse reflection of soft spring light. As well as the lobby, the 31st floor will be...
Global hospitality company Dusit International today announced the appointment of Ms Prachoom Tantiprasertsuk as Vice President Sales, and Mr Michael Leong as Vice President Marketing, effective 15 February 2017. Ms Tantiprasertsuk has worked for Dusit International since 2015 as General Manager of Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket Resort. She studied Hotel Management at London City College and counts hotel companies such as Peninsula Hotels, Four Seasons Hotels, InterContinental Hotels Group, and...
Mantra Group today officially opened the new-look, rebranded Mantra Club Croc hotel, following a major $5 million refurbishment to bring a fresh design and upgraded facilities to the iconic Airlie Beach hotel. Situated close to the beachfront and Abell Point Marina, Mantra Club Croc is housed in a traditional Queenslander-style building, offering a glimpse into the region’s past, contrasted by its modern accommodation and facilities. Guests can now experience stylish accommodation with coastal...
Marriott International, Inc. today announced the opening of Four Points Manhattan Midtown West, the brand’s fifth hotel in Manhattan. Catering to the needs of today’s modern traveler, the hotel offers timeless design, stylish comfort and what matters most plus extras guests want. Owned by Joy Construction and managed by Real Hospitality, the newly constructed Four Points Manhattan Midtown West offers 148 spacious guest rooms, a 24-hour fitness center, a business center, and fast and...
eRevMax has reported today that it has processed $2.1 billion worth of reservation revenue for its hotel clients in 2016. This is an increase of over 11% in reservation revenue as compared to the previous year. Hoteliers continue to increase online bookings through eRevMax platforms leveraging its seamless connectivity with over 300 global and regional OTAs and partners. eRevMax published these figures based on the revenue generated by hotel clients using its reservation delivery services...
The Tennessean Hotel, a premier luxury hotel, will open in Downtown Knoxville this April as part of the Gemstone Collection brand of Benchmark, a global hospitality company. Benchmark will operate the property, which boasts 82 guest rooms and 12 luxury residences in the World’s Fair Park. The park sits on the perimeter of the University of Tennessee campus, a strong partner of the new hotel. “Knoxville is a vibrant, thriving hub for business and leisure travel and now one of the hottest hotel...
Sir Albert Amsterdam, a boutique hotel located in De Pijp, the Latin quarter of Amsterdam and consisting of 90 rooms, is proud to be certified for its sustainable hospitality by Green Globe for the 3rd year in a row. “2016 in particular has been a very successful year” says Sebastiaan Schaafsma, President of Sir Albert’s Green Team. “We are very proud of the team efforts put into the hotel’s sustainability program. People in every layer of the organization are aware of the impact their actions...
Mövenpick Hotel West Bay Doha is proud to announce that it has received Gold certification from Green Globe, the world’s premier stamp of approval related to green practices in the tourism industry. This prestigious status is awarded to members that have been certified for five consecutive years, by meeting all requisite criteria, standards and audits with success. Mövenpick Hotel West Bay Doha is the only five-star property in Qatar with Gold status. In order to be certified, properties must...
Green Globe is proud to welcome Hyatt Ziva Cancun to its collection of certified resorts in Mexico. Hyatt Ziva Cancun is the first Hyatt property in Mexico to be certified for its sustainable operations and management. Alexandre de Brouwer, Director General, Hyatt Ziva Cancun said, “We are very proud to have been awarded with the Green Globe certification. As part of the tourism industry and as human beings we have been blessed by Mother Nature and should preserve it for future generations...
Marriott International is in final talks with Pennyroyal Gibraltar for the management of Zanzibar Amber Resort in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The new luxury hotel whose development began this year will be among leading tourist facilities with a world-class golf course. The US$330 million Zanzibar Amber Resort will be one-of-a-kind in sub-Saharan Africa, developers Ritz Carlton said. President for Marriot Middle East and Africa, the parent company of Ritz Carlton, Alex Kyriakidis, said the hotel will...
Choice Hotels International, Inc. today reported its results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2016. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $31.8 million or $0.56 per diluted share, compared with $29.2 million or $0.51 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2015. Fourth quarter adjusted earnings before income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) was $56.0 million, compared with $50.6 million in the prior year, an increase of 11 percent. “We are pleased...
Luxury hotel operator Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, now part of the AccorHotels Group, and Next Century Associates today announced the signing of definitive agreements for the revitalization and management of the historic Century Plaza Hotel, located in the heart of Century City in Los Angeles. The iconic, crescent shaped hotel has hosted generations of Hollywood celebrities, foreign dignitaries and every United States President since its opening in 1966. The hotel is currently closed for a...
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the overwater bungalow. “This is a historic occasion, and we’re celebrating the overwater bungalow all year long,” said Maria Jagla, general manager of Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora. “These unique accommodations have a come a long way since 1967, and we’re proud to offer the ultimate version, full of luxury and comfort, here at Four Seasons.” The first overwater bungalow was built by the...
