- Kempinski Hotels has bold plans to grow in Beijing and initial Universal plans are just the start
- Aloft arrives in Bali with a new option for music enthusiasts and tech-savvy travellers
- Hyatt Centric confirms Apr-2020 opening for new Fort Lauderdale property
- Aman brings us 'Janu' to deliver 'harmony through the dynamic balance of opposites'
- News briefs - bitesize updates of latest industry news and developments
Kempinski Hotels has bold plans to grow in Beijing and initial Universal plans are just the start
Kempinski Hotels has confirmed plans for what its chief executive officer and chairman of the management board, Martin R Smura, describes as "two extraordinary and world-first hotel concepts" as part of its joint venture with the Beijing Tourism Group. These are two properties within the new Universal Beijing Resort which together offer 1,200 rooms. This just marks the first phase of the cooperation, with a further 4,800 rooms to be added at a later stage. The Universal Studios Grand Hotel and the NUO Resort Hotel - Universal Beijing Resort will position themselves as independent travel destinations and offer a special guest experience offering guests direct and exclusive access to the theme park.
Aloft arrives in Bali with a new option for music enthusiasts and tech-savvy travellers
Aloft Hotels prides itself on delivering a fresh approach to the traditional staid hotel landscape for the 'always on' next generation of traveller. Its tech-forward, vibrant experience and a modern style now spreads to over 160 properties across 25 countries and territories around the world, most recently landing on the island of Bali in Indonesia. The Aloft Bali Seminyak is nestled in the middle of Bali's prominent neighbourhoods of Seminyak, Petitenget, and Canggu. It embodies the brand's new tech-forward, future-proofed design philosophy with a lively, industrial-inspired aesthetic intermixed with distinct local touches. The hotel has 80 guest rooms designed with the brand's signature loft layout featuring airy nine-foot-ceilings.
Hyatt Centric confirms Apr-2020 opening for new Fort Lauderdale property
Hyatt Hotels has confirmed that the Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale, located in the heart of the city's bustling business district, will open to guests on 02-Apr-2020. The full-service, 238-room property is located inside the new-build 100 Las Olas tower, which has dramatically transformed the city's downtown skyline as its tallest building to date. Inspired by Fort Lauderdale's waterfront location and iconic yachting culture, with architecture and interiors by Simeone Deary Design Group, the property's aesthetic features colours, textures and shapes emblematic of boats, the city's intricate canal systems, and life on the water. Its general manager, Eyal Goldberger, believes Fort Lauderdale is receiving "an entirely new kind of hotel" that successfully bridges "the gap between business and leisure".
Aman brings us 'Janu' to deliver 'harmony through the dynamic balance of opposites'
Aman Resorts International has become synonymous with its Sanskrit translation 'peace', but the luxury hotel group has now launched a sister brand, Janu, which stands for 'soul' and which will "deliver harmony through the dynamic balance of opposites". It explains: "Aman is a sanctuary, whereas Janu is connectedness; Aman offers refined respite, whereas Janu offers an energetic vibe for those seeking greater purpose with inner contentment". Janu is founded on the belief that true luxury means never having to choose between personal fulfilment and pleasure. It will launch with three hotels which are already under construction in Montenegro (2022), Al Ula in Saudi Arabia (2022) and Tokyo (2022), as well as a robust pipeline of future hotels. The Janu Montenegro will be the first hotel to incorporate the brands serviced residence concept.
News briefs
- The new Aloft Charlotte Airport hotel marks the arrival of the brand in City Park Charlotte, a 150-acre community that includes residential, retail and offices surrounded by a natural setting. The property offers 139 tech-forward rooms and is the sixth Marriott branded hotel in North Carolina for developer MJM Group.
- Clarion Pointe, a midscale select-service brand extension franchised by Choice Hotels International says it has now surpassed the 50 hotel commitment milestone. With eight Clarion Pointe hotels now open and two dozen more on track to open this year, the brand's portfolio is satisfying high demand from both developers and guests. Hotels have already debuted in cities like Sulphur Springs, Texas; Medford, Oregon; and Rochester, New York, while properties in Louisville, Kentucky; Savannah, Georgia; and Salt Lake City, Utah are on the horizon.
- The new Courtyard by Marriott Inverness Airport has opened at Scotland's air gateway to the Highlands. The 130-room property adjacent to the UK regional airport is the first to serve the facility. It was originally due to open last year, but was deferred due to delays with its construction. The hotel is a vital part of a wider Airport Business Park project.
- Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport opened a Digital Airport Hotel facility in terminal 2 in Feb-2020. The hotel features 136 rooms and five sleeping rooms. Digital Airport Hotel also offers a capsule hotel at terminal 3 at Indonesia's largest air gateway.
- Element by Westin, part of Marriott International, made its debut in Bloomington, Minnesota with the opening of the seven-story, 142-room Element Bloomington Mall of America. Located at 2400 East 82nd Street, just three miles from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, the new longer-stay hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Terratron.
- A new 85-room Fairfield by Marriott hotel opened in early Mar-2020 in Morganton, North Carolina. Located at 400 North Green Street, the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Morganton Historic Downtown will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Morganton Lodging Associates and managed by North Star Lodging Management.
- The Gran Hotel Bristol in the heart of Havana, just steps away from the National Capitol Building (El Capitolio) and within walkable distance of the hotspots and hidden gems of the Cuban capital, is the newest addition to the Kempinski Hotels portfolio. Nestled between Old Havana (La Habana Vieja) and Centro Habana, the property is inspired by the legendary Art Deco style of the 1930s and offer 162 contemporary guestrooms.
- Hotel management company High Hotels has partnered with business intelligence and data integration software developer ProfitSword to implement the latter's ProfitSage operational and financial reporting platform at all properties it currently oversees across the United States of America (USA).
- Nestor, a hospitality business in the alternative accommodation sector, has partnered with global serviced apartment provider Urban Vida to share their experiences with unique, technologically-focused buildings in central locations. Nestor currently manages four serviced apartment buildings in Granada and Madrid, with plans for more multi-family buildings in major cities across Spain in the near future.
- The Pavilions Hotels and Resorts Group will debut a third property in Rome this summer with the opening of the boutique The First Roma Aqua property located along the Lungotevere, a boulevard running along the river Tiber within the city of Rome. It will offer just 24 rooms and suites and will join the First Roma Arte and First Roma Dolce properties already established in the Italian city.
- Philippines' Department of Tourism plans to invest USD9 million in a domestic travel campaign in order to stimulate demand in response to coronavirus. An additional USD1.7 million will be used to provide training to tourism industry staff. Foreign arrivals decreased by 42% year-on-year in Feb-2020, with hotel occupancy decreasing by approximately 40% in Bohol and Boracay.
- Hyatt Hotels has confirmed the opening of Quirk Hotel Charlottesville in Charlottesville, Virginia as the first boutique hotel with a focus on curated art to be imagined in the city's historic downtown. The 80-room hotel showcases a minimalist, contemporary design and each guestroom has a signature look including original artwork throughout, and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and downtown Charlottesville.
- Renowned architecture and interior design firm, Álvarez-Díaz & Villalón (AD&V), has been selected to design the first Residence Inn by Marriott project in Puerto Rico. The nine-storey, 177,555-square-foot hotel in Isla Verde, a popular tourist and residential area, will also be the first new branded flagship property in 25 years. It will include 231 rooms for long- and short-term guests and is scheduled to open in Nov-2021.
- The first phase of the Rosewood Yangon opened in Feb-2020 to support the growing number of international visitors to Myanmar. The property showcases a fusion of contemporary Burmese style and old-world grandeur, housed in the former New Law Courts, one of the grandest and most expansive buildings built during the colonial era. The property features 205 spacious guestrooms, suites and one and two-bedroom Rosewood Residences. The complete hotel opening is scheduled to follow in the coming months as the remaining room inventory, restaurants and Sense Spa are completed and opened to the public.
- Boutique Tel Aviv property, The Norman, has been accepted into Virtuoso's exclusive portfolio of luxury travel partners, comprised of more than 2,000 preferred suppliers in 100 countries. Inclusion in Virtuoso will open up new sales and marketing opportunities to the network's over 22,000 luxury travel advisors and their clientele.