Hotel News In Brief

Jun 30, 05 | 7:46 am

Construction of the Radisson SAS Hotel Zurich Airport to begin early 2006 First-class conference hotel to complement the facilities around the airport  Rezidor SAS Hospitality has announced that the construction of the new Radisson SAS Hotel Zurich Airport will commence at the start of 2006. The hotel will be located directly opposite the departure terminal and will feature 329 rooms and 3,700 square metres of conference space. The hotel is being built at a cost of £65 million and is due for completion in autumn 2008.  Rezidor SAS estimate that the new build hotel will generate around 200 new jobs at the airport. Swiss group Zurich Airport Invest AG, a subsidiary of Acron AG, has acquired the building rights for the hotel. The owner of the land and seller of the building rights is Unique (Flughafen Zürich AG). Rezidor SAS Hospitality holds a 25-year lease for the Radisson SAS Hotel Zurich Airport with Zürich Airport Invest AG, based in Zurich. The general contractor is the Swiss company Marazzi Generalunternehmung AG based in Muri near Bern that has developed the project in collaboration with Unique. The building application has been submitted and it is anticipated that once building approval is granted – probably in January 2006 – construction of the project will be started without delay. "The Radisson SAS Hotel Zurich Airport will prove to be a milestone in Rezidor SAS’ development in the Switzerland region," comments Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor SAS Hospitality. "Zurich Airport is one of the most important European gateways for long-distance travellers and thus also an important hub for business travellers, thereby proving an ideal location in which to prove our service quality. In addition, the first-class Radisson SAS hotel is the perfect complement to our mid-market Park Inn Hotel in Rümlang, not far from Zurich Airport, which ha

Comfort Inn Opens in Moriarty, N.M.    The Comfort Inn located here at 119 Route 66 East is now open. The hotel is owned and operated by Scott McCall of Express Motels, Ltd. The hotel formerly operated as Cozy Inn. The hotel currently is undergoing a complete renovation including new furnishings in guest rooms and public areas, upgraded bathrooms, carpeting, wall vinyl, painting and landscaping. The renovation also will include the addition of several suites. The hotel’s 61-guest rooms feature one-king or two-double beds with coffee maker, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, spacious work area, cable TV with HBO, free high-speed Internet access and full-length mirrors. Two-room suites feature a sleeper/sofa, micro-fridge, two televisions and two bathrooms.  Room rates start at $55. Guests at the hotel will enjoy a free continental breakfast including Belgian waffles, an indoor heated pool, ample free parking, free local calls, free weekday newspaper and free coffee. Catering to the leisure travel market along historic Route 66, the hotel is convenient to area attractions including the Moriarty Civic Center, the Wildlife Nature park, the Moriarty Motocross Track and McCall’s Pumpkin Patch. The hotel is also only a short drive from the many attractions in the Albuquerque area including the Albuquerque Zoo, Aquarium and Convention Center . Discounts are available when booked in advance on a space-available basis for seniors, American Automobile Association members, business travelers, government and military personnel and groups. Children, ages 18 and under, stay free when accompanied by an adult.The hotel participates in Choice's Choice Privileges rewards program where guests can earn points toward free stays, airline miles or gifts when staying at U.S. Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion and MainStay Suites hotels.Guests can receive airline miles from participating airlines when staying at any Choice brand hotel. Comfort Inn hotels are franchised by Choice Hotels International (NYSE: CHH). There currently are 2,010 Comfort Inn brand hotels open and 82 under development worldwide, representing 160,011 rooms already been well received by the market.”

Comfort Inn Opens in Concord, Calif. The Comfort Inn East at the Pavilion located here at 5370 Clayton Road, is now open. The 33-room hotel is owned and operated by Dolat and Ansuya Patel. The hotel formerly operated as the Holiday Inn Express.The hotel’s guest rooms feature one-king, two-queen or one-queen bed. All guest rooms offer a microwave, mini-fridge, coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board free high-speed Internet access. Some rooms are also equipped with a whirlpool tub.Room rates start at $89.99.  Guests will enjoy a free continental breakfast and the hotel’s convenient location near area attractions including Mount Diablo State Park, Sun Valley Mall, Chronicle Pavilion and California State University . Discounts are available when booked in advance on a space-available basis for seniors, American Automobile Association members, business travelers, government and military personnel and groups. Children, ages 18 and under, stay free when accompanied by an adult. The hotel participates in Choice's Choice Privileges rewards program where guests can earn points toward free stays, airline miles or gifts when staying at any U.S. Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion and MainStay Suites hotels.

Domina Hotel Group adds a new property in its biggest expansion drive    Domina Hotel Group adds a new property in its biggest expansion drive scheduled to open in Milan in 2006. Domina Milano Residence is a 42-suites new construction built in a residential area, strategically located between the city centre of Milan and the new Rho-Pero International Fair and easily reachable by private and public transport.The 42 spacious contemporary designed suites will have high speed internet access, safety deposit box, satellite TV, direct dial telephone, air conditioning and fully equipped kitchen in order to provide maximum comfort to the guests. Also available a parking area with 84 car spaces and direct access to the residence. Domina Milano Residence will open in 3rd quarter 2006.“ This new property is part of the group expansion plans which will open 15 other properties throughout the world by 2007” said Francesco Borrello, chief executive officer of Domina Hotel Group “the group has also 63 projects currently under development and scheduled for completion in the near future”. Domina Milano Residence belongs to Domina Hotels & Resorts brand which aim is to be a unique space where clients can feel free to be themselves and relax amid the frenzy of their travels. A special place where the guest is lavished with care and attention, enjoying the high quality of service and the many facilities available. The rooms are provided with every hi-tech facility, and designed for maximum relaxation and the ability to respond swiftly to the guest’s every demand. Domina Hotels & Resorts has 24 hotels in 10 countries worldwide, including a Nile cruise, for a total room number of 4.496. The brand is part of the Domina Hotel Group.

Radisson SAS promotes Food for Thought in Mid East   Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts, part of the fast-growing, Brussels-based Rezidor SAS Hospitality, is introducing a dedicated healthy diet menu in its Middle East properties as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to responsible business practices. The full service hotel brand designed the ‘Food for Thought’ campaign to give guests a well-balanced and healthy menu with dishes that include low-carbohydrate and low-cholesterol choices.  The existing menus, particularly in the speciality restaurants, will have selected options available, and every healthy option dish will be marked with the ‘Food for Thought’ logo for quick and easy recognition.Jean-Marc Busato, Vice President, Rezidor SAS Hospitality Middle East, said: “We support a healthy way of living, and came up with this innovative, user-friendly concept that allows guests to enjoy a meal that will help them achieve a sensible, balanced diet.” Research has shown that the Middle East is one of the world’s fastest-growing food and consumption regions. One major reason for this growth is a high rate of disposable income, coupled with the increased exposure to foreign lifestyles, including the fast food culture. “Fortunately, a positive trend can be seen worldwide, as healthy eating is becoming a more popular lifestyle choice and people are more aware of what they eat. We want to show our guests that healthy food can be attractive & very tasty at the same time. Our ‘Food for Thought’ dishes include chicken tandoori, spicy tofu, chilli seared red tuna, cinnamon smoked salmon and even heesecake to name just a few,” Busato added. Each recipe is specially designed in conjunction with a nutritionist and the menu gives details on the nutritional value and the health benefits of each dish.  Additional training is also being provided for the chefs, food and beverage managers and their teams to ensure that the staff is fully informed of the new menu choices and their benefits.

Preferred Hotels & Resorts expands in Asia    Preferred Hotels(R) & Resorts announces the Palace Hotel in Tokyo as the newest hotel to join the luxury brand and the only member in Japan , bringing the portfolio to 137 properties in more than 50 countries. Situated in Tokyo’s exclusive Marunouchi business district and facing the Imperial Palace Gardens, the Palace Hotel offers 389 spacious guest rooms housed in a classic low-rise design with over 1.5 million porcelain tiles on the exterior facade. Renowned as one of Tokyo’s premier hotels, Palace Hotel offers seven restaurants and convention facilities to accommodate up to 1,500. Less than a block from Tokyo Metro’s Otemachi station, Palace Hotel is steps away from the city’s convention center, central business and entertainment districts just a few stops away. In addition to luxurious rooms and highly attentive service, Palace Hotel stands out for its commitment to the environment with a comprehensive hotel recycling program, making it an eco-friendly oasis in urban Tokyo. From an exhaustive employee education program to partnerships with local farmers and industry, the hotel’s recycling program sets a benchmark for the industry.

Rezidor SAS wants faster growth in Africa   Rezidor SAS Hospitality has signed a 35 million EUR financial Joint Venture Agreement with four Nordic Government Funds  (IFU of Denmark, Finnfund of Finland,  Norfund of Norway and Swedfund of Sweden) to expand its presence in Africa. Through individual projects and portfolio deals, Rezidor SAS has ambitious expansion plans for Africa, primarily under its Radisson SAS and Park Inn brands. The company expects to have 20 hotels in operation in the foreseeable future, and is targeting over 50 hotels in the next five years. The Joint Venture will accelerate growth in Africa by providing development financing to hotel projects, which in turn would help promote local infrastructure for both business and tourism. Currently Rezidor SAS operates two properties in Cape Town, the Radisson Waterfront Hotel and the Park Inn Greenmarket Square, with the Radisson SAS Lagos and the Radisson SAS Resort Djerba due to open in early 2006. The group is currently also pursuing several projects in countries including South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, D.R. of Congo, and Morocco.Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor SAS comments: "Having established a relationship with the IFU, Swedfund and Finnfund under our Joint Venture in Russia, the extended partnership for Africa along with the additional support of Norfund shows great confidence in Rezidor SAS."

Four-Star Hilton Dublin Airport Is Open For Business   Hilton opened the 166-room, four-star Hilton Dublin Airport, the fifth Hilton in Ireland. The Hilton Dublin Airport is situated on the Malahide Road just 3km from Dublin Airport.  Hilton operates the Hilton Dublin at Charlemont Place as well as the Hilton Belfast and Hilton Templepatrick. The most recent addition in the territory - The Mount Wolseley Hilton Hotel, Spa and Country Club in Tullow, Co Carlow - joined the Hilton Ireland portfolio at the end of May 2005.  Friedrich Schaefer, Area General Manager, Hilton Ireland, said: "The four-star Hilton Dublin Airport has been designed with the business traveller in mind providing top class meeting and conference facilities. Our 'Time To Fly' package will also be very popular - customers relax overnight at Hilton Dublin Airport and enjoy up to 14 days' airport parking while away. We believe the hotel will also appeal to local residents with its outstanding restaurant Sólás, The Hilton Bar and our wedding facilities."

JW Marriott to open in Algiers in 2007     Marriott International is to manage a new 274-room JW Marriott hotel in Algiers under a management agreement reached with Societe de Development Hotelier. When opened in 2007, the JW Marriott Hotel Algiers will be Marriott International’s first property in Algeria.  The beachfront hotel will be located 20 kilometers west of Algiers in a community called Clubs des Pins, which is about a 40-minute drive from the Algiers International Airport. The site will also include 5,000 square meters of office space. “We are very pleased to expand our presence in North Africa with this sensational hotel,” said Ed Fuller, president and managing director of international lodging for Marriott International. “Algeria has been a veritable cultural and commercial crossroads for centuries, and we are excited to be able to participate in its regeneration as a destination for tourists and business travelers alike. We are confident that our elegant yet understated JW Marriott brand, with its unique environments and unpretentious authenticity, will be very successful in Algiers.” For dining and entertainment, the JW Marriott Hotel Algiers will have four restaurants, including a casual buffet-style restaurant, two specialty restaurants and an outdoor pool grill, as well as a lobby lounge, a themed bar, a pool bar and lounge-bar. Recreational amenities will include a health and leisure club offering an indoor swimming pool, an outdoor swimming pool, a private beach and tennis courts.Other amenities will feature a business center, 24-hour room service, in-room mini-bar, laundry-valet service, parking for 700 automobiles, a bakery and other retail space, and an amphitheater.

Governments And Rezidor In Concert For Africa   Rezidor SAS Hospitality wants to have more than 50 hotels open in Africa within the next five years, with the Radisson SAS and Park Inn brands leading the charge. But dreams cost, and, fortunately for Rezidor, this is where funds administered by the governments of four Scandinavian countries will start paying. IFU from Denmark, Swedfund and Finnfund, all three of whom together answered the call when Rezidor wanted partners in Russia, are joined by Norfund in signing a joint venture agreement with Rezidor worth €35 million. Rezidor will revisit South Africa, where it currently operates two properties in Cape Town (the Radisson Hotel Waterfront and the Park Inn Greenmarket Square), and call in on countries including Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and Morocco.

Governments And Rezidor In Concert For Africa | Rezidor SAS Hospitality wants to have more than 50 hotels open in Africa within the next five years, with the Radisson SAS and Park Inn brands leading the charge. But dreams cost, and, fortunately for Rezidor, this is where funds administered by the governments of four Scandinavian countries will start paying. IFU from Denmark, Swedfund and Finnfund, all three of whom together answered the call when Rezidor wanted partners in Russia, are joined by Norfund in signing a joint venture agreement with Rezidor worth €35 million. Rezidor will revisit South Africa, where it currently operates two properties in Cape Town (the Radisson Hotel Waterfront and the Park Inn Greenmarket Square), and call in on countries including Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and Morocco.

Hilton To Manage The Nova Yardinia In Italy | The Nova Yardinia, a hotel complex in Castellaneta Marina, on the Gulf of Taranto in southern Italy, will be known as the Hilton Nova Yardinia from 1 July. The complex has a total of 790 rooms shared among the Hilton Alborea, the Hilton Kalidria, the Hilton Calané and The Valentino Village, which will take the Hilton name once refurbishment work is over. Hilton International was invited to manage the complex by Nuova Concordia. On the same day that Hilton takes over, Wolfgang M. Neumann, currently the President of Hilton’s UK and Ireland region, will be settling into the chair vacated by Jürgen Fischer, who moves from the position of President, Europe and Africa, to the role of President in Hilton’s newly formed Commercial Operations Group. Mr Neumann’s position will be filled by Howard Friedman, the current President of The Americas region.