- IHG debuts its global extended stay brand Staybridge Suites in India
- Aman brings its sister luxury Janu hotel brand to Japan as it outlines Tokyo growth intentions
- Thompson brings its lifestyle theme to San Antonio
- New Nobu Hotel and Restaurant to open in the Elbtower project in Hamburg, Germany
- Data metrics - latest performance insights from STR
- News briefs - bitesize updates of latest industry news and developments
IHG debuts its global extended stay brand Staybridge Suites in India
IHG Hotels and Resorts will debut of its Staybridge Suites extended stay brand in India with the signing of Staybridge Suites Bengaluru Thanisandra after signing a management agreement with NR Greenwood Construction for the property, expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2023. Debuting in the 'Silicon Valley of India', Bengaluru, which is also recognised as the second fastest-growing major metropolis in the country, the hotel is expected to benefit from the strong demand for extended stay branded hospitality options in the city, from domestic as well as international corporate travel segments. The property will offer a residential-style of hotel experience with 170 suites featuring kitchenettes and will be designed for multi-night business and leisure travellers. The brand is designed with extended stay guests in mind and offers amenities such as a fully equipped kitchen in suites, a dedicated outdoor space, daily complimentary hot breakfast with signature items and an evening social event three nights a week. The brand is thoughtfully designed with extended stay guests in mind. The hotel will be in close proximity to the Manyata Tech Park which is one of the India's (and Asia's) largest and fastest growing IT-specific Business Parks, categorised under the Special Economic Zone & business zone, housing several fortune 500 companies.
Aman brings its sister luxury Janu hotel brand to Japan as it outlines Tokyo growth intentions
Luxury hotels and resorts group Aman has outlined plans to introduce two new properties within the Toranomon-Azabudai Urban Redevelopment Project, a massive urban renewal undertaking that will revitalise a large area of central Tokyo. In a partnership with Mori Building Co, Japan's leading urban landscape developer, it will add both a residence-only development and debut its Janu luxury brand in Japan. The Aman Residences, Tokyo will be located on floors 54-64 of the 330-metre A District Tower and will offer 91 hotel-branded residences with exclusive services. The Janu Tokyo will be on floors 1-13 in the B-2 District Tower offering approximately 120 luxury guestrooms.
Thompson brings its lifestyle theme to San Antonio
The Thompson San Antonio, a new 162-room lifestyle hotel, has opened in San Antonio Texas' dynamic Arts District, along the city's celebrated River Walk. Bringing what is described as "modern sophistication" to the Texas Hill Country, the 20-storey Thompson Hotels property is situated steps from the city's most sought-after attractions, including the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, the historic Alamo and the San Antonio Museum of Art. The property's rooms range from 350 to 2,400 square feet in area and includes 33 suites, offering floor-to-ceiling views of the urban horizon and the rolling Texas Hill Country beyond. Thompson San Antonio's event offering encompasses nine indoor and outdoor venues that span more than 10,000 square feet and feature a versatile selection of layouts. The property joins recently opened and announced Thompson Hotels properties, including Thompson Dallas, which opened in Nov-2020, as well as Thompson Savannah, Thompson Buckhead, Thompson Hollywood, Thompson Austin and Thompson Denver, which are due to open in 2021.
New Nobu Hotel and Restaurant to open in the Elbtower project in Hamburg, Germany
Nobu Hospitality, the global lifestyle brand founded by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper, is to open a new Nobu Hotel and Restaurant in the German city of Hamburg. The property will be located within the Elbtower, a project by SIGNA Real Estate, a mixed-use development also encompassing premium office space set within the tallest high-rise in the city. Rising almost 250 metres over the River Elbe, the 64 storey Elbtower, with a striking and curved façade, has been designed by David Chipperfield Architects. It will emerge as a counterpoint to the famed Elbphilharmonie concert hall and entrance marker to the prestigious HafenCity district. The property will house 191 spacious guest rooms and suites, a 200-seat Nobu restaurant, a stylish terrace bar and lounge with views of the River Elbe, and a fitness and wellness facility. It will also feature a private members club for the local community where members will benefit from a private lounge with a food and beverage offering, access to the hotel's fitness and wellness facility as well as exclusive members only events.
Data metrics - latest performance insights from STR
- The hotel industry in Canada reported continued lows across the three key performance metrics during Jan-2021 and year-on-year declines also remained significant. The country's occupancy level was up slightly from Dec-2020 but was its second-lowest since May-2020. As a result, RevPAR came in lower than any month in Canada since May-2020. In comparison with Jan-2020, occupancy was down -55.2% to 22.3%, ADR declined -27.4% to CAD107.21 and RevPAR fell -67.5% to CAD23.96.
- The United States of America hotel industry generally showed higher performance levels in Jan-2021 than Dec-2020. Occupancy and RevPAR were both up but remained closer to the earlier months of the pandemic, while ADR was down slightly from the previous month. In comparison with Jan-2020, occupancy was down -28.3% to 39.3%, ADR declined -27.8% to USD90.79 and RevPAR fell -48.2% to USD35.72. Miami, Florida, reported the highest occupancy level (54.5%), which was down -32.3% year over year. The market also showed the highest ADR (US$195.08), which represented a -25.5% decline year over year. In addition to Miami, six other markets posted ADR above USD100.
News briefs - bitesize updates of latest industry news and developments
- Chatham Lodging Trust, a real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests in upscale, extended-stay hotels and premium-branded, select-service hotels, has revealed RevPAR among 39 comparable hotels in its portfolio declined -60% to USD47 in 4Q 2020 compared to 4Q 2019. Its results also show that ADR decreased -34% to USD104, and occupancy dropped -40% to 45% in the year-on-year comparison.
- Electra America, a real estate platform specializing in the multifamily and residential sectors, and AKA, a specialist in luxury hotel residences, have teamed up to launch an opportunistic hotel investment fund focused on distressed assets in urban gateway markets. The new venture, Electra America Hospitality Group (EAHG), is in process of raising USD500 million in capital from investors for the acquisition of independent hotels in major gateway markets. Through its Electra America Opportunity Fund, EAHG will focus on "the acquisition, repositioning and stabilisation of well-located hotels with strong appreciation potential in urban gateway markets where both partners have existing expertise".
- The Hyatt House Nashville Airport was officially opened in Feb-2021, a new four-storey hotel situated less than 10 miles from area attractions including Music City Nashville, Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry. The property houses 128 spacious guestrooms with separate spaces to sleep, work and play, as well as the brand's trademark Cozy Corner sofa-sleeper.
- Hilton Grand Vacations has opened of its first timeshare resort property in Mexico, the La Pacifica Los Cabos by Hilton Club. Located in one of North America's most exclusive resort destinations, Los Cabos, Mexico, sales for the 74-unit property started in Dec-2020 and is now open to welcoming owners and guests. Located beside the Sea of Cortez, La Pacifica enjoys exclusive access to 11.3 acres of beachfront. The 74 studios comprise one-and two-bedroom suites that offer kitchens or wet bars, five-fixture baths, spacious living and dining areas with private balconies or terraces boasting full or partial ocean views.
- Marriott International reported its 4Q 2020 worldwide RevPAR declined -64.1% (a 63.9% decline using actual dollars). RevPAR in the US & Canada declined -64.6% and in international markets declined 62.7%. At year end, the company's worldwide development pipeline totalled 2,881 properties with more than 498,000 rooms, including 1,187 properties with over 229,000 rooms under construction and 119 properties with roughly 20,000 rooms approved for development, but not yet subject to signed contracts.
- Hotel investment, ownership and management company Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG) has taken over operations of the 99-room Nautilus Inn in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA. Owned by Asante Asset Management, the hotel plans to undergo a multi-million renovation scheduled to begin August 2021. It is located adjacent to Daytona Beach Shores, nestled on the family-friendly south end of Daytona Beach.
- The Porto Carras Grand Resort, located on the western coast of Sithonia, on the northern Greek mainland will open under new management from 29-Apr-2021. The property, nestled on the slopes of Meliton, overlooking the expansive Toroneos Gulf, features the Meliton 5*, the Sithonia 4* Plus hotels, as well as the exclusive Villa Kalyva Mare suites. The resort features a blend of five-star facilities including a private 315-berth Marina, as well as the largest conference hall in Northern Greece.
- IHG Hotels & Resorts has confirmed the debut of the voco Hotels brand in Scotland with the upcoming opening of voco Grand Central in Glasgow and voco Edinburgh - Haymarket. The Glasgow property will house 230 rooms, while the Edinburgh site, the it's first new-build voco hotel to open in the UK, will offer 150 rooms and suites. The properties will open as Scotland revises guidelines around the re-opening of Scottish hospitality from Apr-2021 or May-2021 following continued COVID-19 restrictions.
- Greece's White Key Villas has added five new properties to its portfolio for summer 2021. All are new builds making them ideal for a socially distanced break or a long-stay work-from-home location. They are to be found in five diverse destinations: the Villa Fanya in Syros; the Villa Mellisos in Halkidiki; the Villa Santhia in Paros; the Villa Aminda in Porto Heli; and the Villa Remvy in Mykonos.
- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has opened its first hotel in Cambodia, the Howard Johnson Plaza by Wyndham Blue Bay Sihanoukville, continuing its expansion in Southeast Asia following recent successful openings for the brand in China and South Korea. The 522-key upscale hotel is housed in a 36-storey building offering city and sea views from a position at Independence Beach, close to the centre of Sihanoukville.