Park Inn By Radisson Gwalior Opens Its Doors To Guests

Park Inn by Radisson Gwalior opens today in the city of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. The hotel provides an ideal stay for both leisure and business travelers visiting the city, best known for its ancient hilltop Gwalior fort.

The hotel is strategically located to provide easy access to tourist attractions such as the hill fort of Gwalior, Gopachal Parvat, Jai Vilas Palace, Tomb of Ghaus Mohammed, Madhav National Park and many others. Situated within five kilometres from the railway station and ten kilometres from the Gwalior airport, the hotel's location is perfect for guests visiting for leisure or business.

Spread over 450 square meters, the hotel's architecture is reminiscent of the city's erstwhile culture and style. It constitutes Superior and Deluxe category rooms. While Deluxe rooms offer a private terrace and remarkable view of the Gwalior Fort, Superior rooms offer a comfortable stay accompanied with free Wi-Fi connectivity and a mini fridge. The hotel features a state-of-the-art fitness centre with modern amenities.

Park Inn by Radisson Gwalior offers an exquisite range of dining options. RBG Bar & Grill, an all-day dining restaurant, features a vibrant atmosphere and a collection of contemporary gourmet delights. Remarkable chefs at RBG Bar & Grill offer a selection of global dishes on the à la carte menu as well as an expansive buffet that promises to delight guests through the day. The hotel's culinary expertise can be relished at the comfort of one's accommodation with 24-hour room service.

source

Middle East’s first Hotel Indigo opens for business

Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown has officially opened for business, cementing itself as the region’s first Hotel Indigo property.

The brand is InterContinental Hotels Group’s (IHG) design-focused lifestyle offering, providing a stay centred on community and experience.

Hotelier Middle East has already checked out the hotel, where we admired the 200+ pieces of art found across the property.   

Designed in collaboration with the Alserkal Cultural Foundation, Tashkeel and XVA gallery, pieces come local artists as a celebration of Dubai’s arts scene. There are hand-painted feature walls, woven tapestry rugs, street graffiti art and various other finishing touches setting this hotel apart from others in the IHG portfolio.

The property comprises 269 rooms across 17 floors. Facilities include a ladies salon and a barber shop, two spa treatment rooms, a yoga studio and a gym with the option to book a personal trainer.

F&B venues include the Neighbourhood Café, a cocktail bar, a poolside bar and the Bakala Joos juice bar.

Leading the hotel is IHG’s first female general manager in the region, Laura Eggleton.

She sat down with Hotelier Middle East ahead of the opening, revealing her and her team had to jump a few hurdles to open during the pandemic. 

“We’ve had some complications along the way but we’re ready to go and we’re the first in the region, with some more in the way. It’s great to have a boutique brand that benefits from the infrastructure of a company like IHG.

“We’ve had to make adjustments [due to the pandemic] along the way and we have IHG’s Clean Promise in place. In the back of house we’ve had to make some changes with desk areas and the like, but front of house we’ve not had to change things too much.”

She added: “Our design is so special and unique that even though there’s healthy competition nearby, I’m sure Dubai will appreciate the design and the more relaxed informal service style. Hotel Indigo is the fastest growing boutique brand in the world. People have been in touch saying they’re excited for us to open. I’m confident this is the right time for us.”

Even before the hotel swung open doors this month, the Hotel Indigo brand was already gaining traction in the region. IHG has announced it will open Hotel Indigo Jabal Al Akhdar in Oman by 2022. 

Source

Hyatt Regency West Hanoi Opens in Vietnam

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced the opening of Hyatt Regency West Hanoi, the first Hyatt hotel in Hanoi and the third Hyatt hotel in Vietnam. Located in Nam Tu Liem district, Hanoi's new business district near major sporting and convention venues, Hyatt Regency West Hanoi offers 519 modern guestrooms where business travelers and leisure guests can enjoy seamless and relaxing experiences. Hyatt Regency West Hanoi, which has been rebranded from an existing hotel, has undergone an extensive renovation throughout all guestrooms, public areas, event and meeting spaces, and culinary venues, as well as a redesign of its tranquil landscaped garden.

Convenient Location

Hyatt Regency West Hanoi is situated a few minutes by car from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Convention Center, and various business districts home to global companies, making the property a convenient base for corporate guests. Also located directly next to My Dinh National Stadium and near the Formula One Grand Prix race track, the hotel is an ideal choice for visitors attending major sporting events in Hanoi. In addition, a soon-to-be-completed road will lead directly from the hotel to Ring Road 3, which will provide guests with easy access to the highway and make it easier to visit popular locations in northern Vietnam such as Sapa, Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay.

Refreshed Guestrooms

Spanning two towers, the hotel offers guests a bright, stylish urban retreat with 519 guestrooms, including 114 spacious suites and 129 long-stay rooms with kitchenettes and washing machines. The refreshed interiors feature a contemporary palette with natural wood and marble accents, coupled with modern facilities and floor-to-ceiling windows that allow in natural light and impressive views.

Source

Hyatt Announces Plans for First Hyatt Hotel in Cape Town

- Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with South African real estate company, Millat Properties, for the first Hyatt-branded hotel in Cape Town. Hyatt Regency Cape Town, a 137-room hotel, is expected to open in December 2020, bringing the total number of Hyatt-branded hotels across Africa to eight, with two in South Africa. Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with South African real estate company, Millat Properties, to open the first Hyatt hotel in Cape Town. Hyatt Regency Cape Town, a 137-room hotel, is expected to open in December 2020, bringing the total number of Hyatt hotels across Africa to eight, with two in South Africa. The new Hyatt Regency Cape Town will be rebranded from the former Hilton Cape Town City Centre.

Africa, and particularly Sub-Saharan Africa, remains a key focus for growth for Hyatt as the continent is experiencing an increasingly favorable business climate, along with consistently heightened tourism. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, international tourist arrivals in Sub-Saharan Africa grew around 6% per year, higher than the global average.[1] Cape Town, in particular, is an attractive destination for both business and leisure travelers alike, with more than five million visitors to Cape Town’s airport[2] each year. The coastal city, which is the second most populated city in South Africa, is an economic hub for business and innovation as well as an attractive destination for leisure travelers with its pristine beaches and lively culture.

“We’re delighted to work with Millat Properties to bring the Hyatt Regency brand to Cape Town,” said Ludwig Bouldoukian, regional vice president of development for the Middle East and Africa, Hyatt. “As a premier destination, Cape Town has been a top goal for us to have a Hyatt hotel, and we believe there is meaningful potential for further growth in South Africa. Hyatt Regency Cape Town is a key element of our strategy to grow thoughtfully in markets where we know our guests are traveling.”

Hyatt Regency Cape Town will bring the Hyatt Regency brand’s signature seamless, personalized service and energizing experiences to business and leisure guests alike. The hotel is situated at the foot of the iconic Table Mountain, one of Cape Town’s most prominent and famous tourist landmarks, bordering the historic Bo-Kaap district with its steep and narrow streets. The vibrant and colorful neighborhood is a popular area for tourists looking to experience South Africa’s rich, multicultural history.

“It is a delight to team up with the Hyatt Regency brand, who is synonymous with a first-class travel experience,” said Hamza Farooqui, chief executive officer of Millat Properties. "Millat will extensively refurbish the hotel – prior to reopening – using renowned international interior designers, LW Design. Knowing Hyatt and Millat share equally high standards around the guest experience, we are delighted to bring the Hyatt Regency brand to life in this iconic location.”

The hotel will feature 137 rooms, including 15 suites, three food and beverage outlets, as well as leisure facilities including a fitness area and an outdoor pool. For corporate guests, the property offers 1,312 square feet (400 square meters) of meeting space as well as an executive lounge.

“The news of a Hyatt-branded property opening within the City of Cape Town is a welcome addition to the tourism sector and is a positive indicator reflecting the travel industry’s road to recovery,” said Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, South African Minister for Tourism. Like many others in our country, Cape Town is truly unique, offering visitors unforgettable experiences with an abundance of natural beauty and attractions to visit. Hyatt Regency Cape Town will be the perfect addition to the hospitality sector in this historic city.” 

The announcement of Hyatt Regency Cape Town follows a significant expansion in Hyatt’s footprint in Sub-Saharan Africa, fueled by the Hyatt Regency brand. Three Hyatt Regency hotels are already open in the sub-Saharan region: Hyatt Regency Johannesburg, Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam and Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa with two more scheduled openings for the Hyatt Regency brand over the next three years: Hyatt Regency Nairobi, Kenya and Hyatt Regency Lagos Ikeja, Nigeria.

Source

Marriott International Announces the Opening of Buenos Aires Marriott Hotel

Marriott International announced today the long-awaited opening of the Buenos Aires Marriott Hotel. Previously operating as the Hotel Panamericano Buenos Aires, the property underwent an extensive conversion to meet Marriott's elevated quality standards. Located in the heart of the city, with convenient access to must-see attractions such as the Teatro Colón, the Obelisk and the Palace of Justice, the hotel is well positioned to become a favorite among business and leisure travelers visiting this South American destination.

"We are thrilled to work with Gotel Hotel Management and bring the Marriott Hotels brand back to Argentina after so many years," said Laurent de Kousemaeker, Marriott International Chief Development Officer, Caribbean and Latin America. "This opening marks the beginning of a new stage for Marriott International in this coveted destination where the European style is deeply intertwined with the Latin American culture."

Source

Ginger announces the signing of a new hotel in Zirakpur, Chandigarh

Ginger announces the signing of a new hotel in Zirakpur, Chandigarh. The hotel will be designed around the brand’s lean luxe philosophy of offering a vibrant, contemporary, and seamless hospitality experience to its guests. The hotel is a fully fitted lease.  

Commenting on the signing, Deepika Rao, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Ginger Hotels said, “We are delighted to partner with Silicon Constructions Pvt Ltd for this hotel. Zirakpur is a fast-growing city in the Chandigarh metropolitan region and Ginger, with its energizing new experience, is well poised to capture the growing demand of the city of Chandigarh.”

voco brand to go global with launch in China and US

InterContinental Hotels Group has confirmed it will launch its newest upscale hotel brand, voco, in the United States and Greater China.

The company created and launched the new flag a little over two years ago, focusing on conversion opportunities that combine the informality and charm of an independent hotel, with the quality and reassurance of a respected global brand.

Since then, a mix of 12 conversion and new-build voco hotels have opened across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Australia.

voco continues to generate strong interest from owners too, and with an uplift in conversion activity during the first half of 2020, its expansion into two large and fast-growing markets is a key milestone.

voco currently has a development pipeline of 28 properties will take it into 19 countries over the next five years, while it remains on track to open more than 200 hotels over the next ten years.

Fairmont Sanya Haitang Bay Resort to Open December 2020 in China

Accor announces its first Fairmont Resort in Greater China, in partnership with Hainan Keenwin Holdings. The newly refurbished Fairmont Sanya Haitang Bay is set to open in December 2020 following extensive renovations to the property.

Fairmont Sanya Haitang Bay is situated along the beautiful golden coastline of Haitang Bay. With views towards the diver's paradise of Wuzhizhou Island and Yajia Daling Mountains, the resort has the best Feng Shui to bring harmony between travellers and nature.

Fairmont Sanya Haitang Bay features a team of star designers and architects, which includes world-renowned interior designer Nick Winai Suansalee from Leo Design Group as well as landscape architecture by Francis Leung, the former Design Director of Belt Collins. The resort has the formal symmetry often found in imperial palaces, and offers a number of exquisite architectural gems that are destinations in their own right. In accordance with ancient Chinese architectural principles, a pair of Watchtowers forms the portal to the resort. Covered Lounge Bridges made from stone arches act as pathways to the lobby pavilion, providing rest, shelter and vistas of intricate cornices against the green surrounds. Within the lobby, precious detailed wood carvings on walls and ceiling friezes took more than two years to complete and demonstrate a sense of grandeur and profoundness. Its unique 1,200-meter long river is the world's first sea water canal running within a hotel. Guests can take a dragon boat ride to reach guestrooms and all other hotel facilities whilst enjoying the ever-changing scenery and amazing landscapes. For those who wish to learn more about the resort's relics, the Wood Art Gallery is a courtyard house boasting fine furnishings and artefacts from both the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty.

Fairmont Port Douglas Hotel to Open in Far North Queensland in 2023

Accor will bring the Fairmont brand to Australia for the first time, with the announcement that the Fairmont Port Douglas is set to open in Far North Queensland in 2023.  Set on the edge of two UNESCO World Heritage sites – the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest - the hotel has been sustainably designed to give back to the environment.
 
“We are excited to bring the extraordinary Fairmont brand to Australia and are confident that Fairmont Port Douglas will deliver a new level of luxury and sophistication to one of the country’s most glamourous resort towns,” said Simon McGrath, Chief Operating Officer, Accor Pacific. “Accor continues to expand its luxury offerings in Australia and, as our first Fairmont, this is going to be a truly special resort, whose architecture mimics the rich biosphere of the Daintree Rainforest and, which is centred on well-being, nature and cultural immersion.”
 
Fairmont Port Douglas will boast 253 glamorous rooms, several restaurants and bars, a decadent day spa, a treetop walk and panoramic conference and wedding facilities, all designed around resort-style pools and built to blend seamlessly with nature. From the organic architecture to copious green spaces and natural light, the resort brings nature close, with butterfly nets above the children’s swimming pool, an intimate lobby inspired by birds’ nests and verdant tropical gardens.

Courtyard by Marriott Penang takes brand into Malaysia

Marriott has announced the opening of Courtyard by Marriott Penang – the first Courtyard property to debut in Malaysia.

Located along the bustling Jalan Macalister in the heart of Penang’s UNESCO-listed George Town, the new 199-room Courtyard by Marriott Penang is set to provide the best hotel experience for guests to pursue their personal and professional passions while on the road.

“We are thrilled to continue to grow our presence in Malaysia with the opening of Courtyard by Marriott Penang,” said Rajeev Menon, president, Asia Pacific, Marriott International.

“Designed for today’s ambitious and enterprising traveller, the opening of Courtyard by Marriott Penang marks Marriott International’s 17th brand in Malaysia and further compliments our growing footprint in the country.”

Radisson adds dual-brand property at Heathrow

Radisson Hotel Group has welcomed two new brands at London Heathrow, joining forces under one roof.

The new Radisson Red hotel features 258 bedrooms showcasing the bold and playful design of the brand.

The other bedrooms, of which there are more than 600 in the neighbouring Radisson Hotel & Conference Centre London Heathrow, follow the Scandinavian-inspired Radisson style, nodding to the heritage of the group.

Family rooms with bunk beds able to accommodate up to four people are featured at both properties.

Hyatt Announces Plans for Thompson Monterrey

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced plans for Thompson Monterrey, the first Thompson hotel in Mexico’s state of Nuevo León. The 150-room lifestyle hotel is expected to open in 2022 and will mark the fourth Thompson-branded property in Mexico.

“Thompson Monterrey comes at a time of significant growth for the Thompson Hotels brand and will represent the brand’s entry into a key new market,” said Alfredo Reynoso, director of  development, Mexico, Hyatt. “The Thompson brand aligns very well with Monterrey’s position as a business and entertainment destination, and we look forward to introducing a new lifestyle offering that will provide experiences that celebrate its destination in a sophisticated way for guests and locals alike.”

Developed by Visa Desarrollos and Grow2, Thompson Monterrey will be located in the San Pedro Garza García, a contemporary financial and commercial area of Monterrey in the state of Nuevo León. Located near headquarters for many national and multinational companies and university campuses, the hotel will be part of Torre IKON, a new-build mixed-use complex with aproximately 215,000 square feet (20,000 square meters) of office space. Thompson Monterrey will occupy a portion of the 31-floor tower designed by Duda Paine Architects, which is set to be one of the most iconic high-rise buildings in the San Pedro Garza García.    

Thompson Monterrey will provide a truly superior experience with just the right amount of edge to the San Pedro Garza García through its thoughtfully curated design, culinary sophistication, and effortless yet intuitive service. From the moment guests arrive, they will experience elements of Monterrey’s culture in the hotel’s sought-after hub – its rooftop bar – which will reflect the guests’ authentically stylish and dynamic lifestyles with a buzzing social scene and thought-provoking arts and entertainment.

IHG Signs Two New Hotels in Bangladesh

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed a management agreement with Evalona Limited for two new build hotels in Bangladesh. The 200-room Holiday Inn Resort Kuakata is due to open in early 2026 and the 150-rooms Crowne Plaza Kuakata will open its doors to guests in Q1 2028. Located on the second largest beach in Bangladesh, both hotels will be best in class products in the country.

Affirming an optimistic mid-long-term outlook despite on the ongoing global pandemic, this marks the third signing across four hotels for IHG in the SWA region since Q2 2020.

Located approximately 280 kms from Dhaka, Kuakata is a beach town on the banks of the Bay of Bengal in Southern Bangladesh. A beautiful destination on its own, the beach is 18 kms long and 3 kms wide and offers a full view of sunrise and sunset. The location can also be accessed by speed boat from the Sundarbans (mangrove forests) and is in close proximity to Payra Seaport development, which is set to become an important seaport in the country.

A perfect destination for MICE events, Crowne Plaza Kuakata will offer a ballroom accommodating 800-900 guests, two function rooms, two meeting rooms, a business centre and a boardroom (2,475 sqm in total). Offering a wide range of F&B options, the hotel will feature an all-day dining restaurant, two specialty restaurants and a lobby lounge & bar. For guests to rejuvenate, Crowne Plaza Kuakata will feature a spa, a fitness centre, an outdoor pool and a recreation area, as well.

Positioned as a great destination for leisure travelers, on opening, Holiday Inn Resort Kuakata will feature an all-day dining restaurant, a fitness centre, a retail area along with an indoor and outdoor recreation area. The hotel will also offer a meeting room and a boardroom for guests with business requirements.
Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG commented: "We are pleased to announce the signing of two new hotels in Bangladesh in partnership with Evalona Limited. Being built at an excellent location, Crowne Plaza Kuakata and Holiday Inn Resort Kuakata will be amongst the first international hotels in Kuakata and will benefit from the latent demand for international, branded holiday and MICE destination within Bangladesh.

He added: The signing is testament to our long-term commitment to grow in the SWA region and introduce right brands to key markets with the right partners. Despite current challenging circumstances, we are confident in the mid-long-term outlook of the industry – it is great to see that our owners share the same sentiment and are investing in our trusted brands."

Sadiq Rahman, Managing Director, Evalona Limited said: "We are excited to partner with IHG for our first hospitality project and bring Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn brands to the beautiful beach of Kuakata. IHG has a strong reputation in the country with their existing portfolio and a robust pipeline. We are confident that we will benefit from their experience, expertise and operational excellence, and that both hotels will be successful on opening in the future."

IHG has 39 hotels in SWA across mainstream, upscale and luxury segments and 54 in the pipeline. *

*numbers as of June 30th 

Year-Over-Year the Global Hotel Construction Pipeline Continues to Increase

The latest Global Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics (LE) states that the global hotel construction pipeline stands at 14,779 projects/2,412,736 rooms. Year-over-year (YOY) the pipeline increased 5% by projects and 4% by rooms with several stages of the pipeline hitting their peaks by project and rooms counts.

Brands leading in the pipeline for each of these companies are Marriott’s Fairfield Inn with 431 projects/50,249 rooms; Hampton by Hilton with 775 projects/102,815 rooms; IHG’s Holiday Inn Express with 712 projects/90,479 rooms; and AccorHotel’s Ibis Brands with 319 projects/44,817 rooms.

Throughout the first half of 2020, the world opened 891 hotels accounting for 131,921 rooms

Source

Avani+ Ho Tram Resort under construction in Vietnam

Avani Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of the first Avani+ upscale resort in Vietnam - Avani+ Ho Tram Resort. The property is scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2023.

Currently, the brand has a total of three properties under construction in Ho Chi Minh City, Doc Let and Cam Ranh, as well as two hotels in operation in Hai Phong and Quy Nhon

Source

Hotel JAL City Fukuoka Tenjin to Open in 2021

Okura Nikko Hotel Management Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Hotel Okura Co., Ltd., announced today that it will open Hotel JAL City Fukuoka Tenjin in 2021.

Sekisui House, Ltd., a renowned Japanese construction company, is now building the hotel and aiming to complete it by January 2021.

Based on Hotel JAL City's brand concept “smart simplicity”, the new hotel will offer a smart and simple stay experience, providing check-in and check-out and room key functionality by means of guests’ smartphone

Source

Ginger Hotels Announces The Signing Of Three New Hotels

Ginger Hotels announces the signing of three new hotels –two in Chennai and one in Patna –designed around the brand's lean luxe philosophy. The two Chennai properties will take the total number of Ginger hotels in the city to five, while the Patna property will be the brand's second hotel in the city.

Chennai and Patna are both high demand markets. With the addition of these hotels in different micro-markets, the Ginger brand deepens its market penetration in cities that are important commercial hubs of India

Source

Radisson Hotel Group Signs Pakistan’s First Internationally Branded Serviced Apartments

Radisson Hotel Group announced the signing of the Radisson Blu Serviced Apartments, Islamabad in Pakistan, the first internationally branded serviced apartments in the country

This marks the group's second hotel in Pakistan, accelerating its ambition to have 10 hotels and 2,000 rooms in operation and under development across the country by 2025.

The new-build hotel will form part of a mixed-use development, which includes offices and a retail mall

Source

Thai hospitality firm Dusit International announces re-entry into India

Thailand-based hospitality firm Dusit International has announced its return to India with a plan to open at least two Dusit-branded hotels per year 2021 onward in tier I and tier II cities.

The company will focus on markets such as Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru – as well as key leisure destinations such as Goa.

Source

Gordon Ramsay wants to open a restaurant in India, and location might be Kerala

Before Covid-19 brought the world to a standstill, Michelin-star chef Gordon Ramsay was in Coorg, shooting for the second season of National Geographic’s “Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted". He cooked famous pandi curry for local women in Coorg. He also shot portions of the show in Kerala, which spurred him further to think about opening a restaurant in "God's Own Country".

In an interview with IANS, Ramsay said: “There are very few countries in the world that have such unique diverse flavors from north to south and then east to west. Every state, every region in India has its own specialty in food. I have been coming to India for so many years, and every time I explore something new. It’s the love of local people that compels me to visit the country again and again. I really want to open my restaurant for the Indian people in India."

Speaking about South Indian cuisine, he said, “The south is all about spices and it felt amazing to smell the fragrances of those masalas. It was an incredible experience visiting India this time. I shot with local female cooks. Trust me, they are far, far better than me. In fact, I was surprised to see how they were not sweating while cooking in such hot climate."

Source