Hotel News In Brief

Jan 16, 06 | 8:46 am

Tweet

Expansion planned for the Furama Resort Danang The Bac My An Tourism Joint Venture Company, the major investor in Furama Resort Danang, is to invest $10 million to expand the five-star resort to meet the increasing demand for local and international tourists, especially to prepare for the APEC Vietnam 2006. Under the plan, Furama Resort Danang will build 100 more hotel rooms, increasing the current number of rooms to 300. The new rooms are expected to be completed in early 2008. Concurrent with this project, Furama Resort Danang will build an International Conference Centre with one grand-ballroom and four other conference rooms, which can accommodate 800 people and 200 people respectively. This will increase its current number of conference rooms to 2 grand-ballrooms and 10-group-conference rooms. These conference rooms will be able to serve APEC, and other, international conferences. The International Conference Centre will be completed this June. According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Quynh, Furama Resort Danang’s Business Development Director, the construction of the International Conference Centre will promote Danang province as a center to organize international conferences besides Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. “The ICC of Furama Danang will be the largest conference centre in the central provinces. With direct flights from Singapore, Bangkok, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Danang, we believe that our strategy is right aiming to MICE Meeting, Incentives, Conference and Exhibition),” said Mr. Quynh.

The New Hilton San Francisco Financial District Opens as Premier New Business Hotel in Fully-Renovated Landmark Building   Hilton Hotels Corporation announced today the opening of the Hilton San Francisco Financial District, an upscale business hotel located in a landmark building in one of San Francisco's prime business quarters. The 549-room hotel, which was previously operated as a Holiday Inn Select, has undergone an extensive $40 million transformation to become a Hilton. The renovations have created an inviting atmosphere, pampering amenities and services tailored to the needs of discerning business and leisure travelers.The Hilton San Francisco Financial District is owned by San Francisco-based Justice Investors, managed by the Seattle-based Dow Hotel Company, LLC and operated under a franchise license agreement with Hilton Inns, Inc., a franchising subsidiary of Beverly Hills-based Hilton Hotels Corporation. The new Hilton blends sleek design, upscale amenities, and high-tech accommodations to surround guests in style, luxury and functionality. From the distinctive lines of the building to the elegant entryway water sculpture, every facet of the hotel reflects the Hilton commitment to gracious hospitality and elegant design. The sleek decor is enhanced by the building's stunning views of the San Francisco Bay and the dazzling downtown skyline. Each spacious room is equipped with an expansive wrap-around work desk and ergonomic chair, wired and wireless high-speed Internet access and MP3-compatible Hilton Family alarm clock. Guestrooms and suites are equipped with the luxurious Hilton Serenity Bed and the Hilton Serenity Bath Collection, which features spa-quality hair and skincare products from Crabtree & Evelyn's La Source line.

Kimpton Hotels Announces West Palm Beach Property – The Harrick    Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants Group, LLC, the leader in the boutique/lifestyle hotel segment, today announced plans to operate The Harrick, an all-suite luxury boutique hotel being developed in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida.  Owned by residential developer David Gostfand, the property marks Kimpton’s fourth project in South Florida. The Harrick, West Palm Beach, will stand over 20 stories in the center of thriving West Palm Beach’s new urban landscape.  Located in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach’s business district at the corner of Lakeview Avenue and Dixie Highway, the hotel will have close proximity to CityPlace, the Kravis Arts Center, and West Palm Beach’s convention center.  Additionally, the chic attractions of Palm Beach are also accessible to this premier locale. “The Harrick’s distinctive architecture, style, services and amenities will be a prime offering to the area of West Palm Beach,” said Troy Furbay, senior vice president of acquisitions & development for Kimpton.  “Kimpton saw a strategic opportunity to partner on a project with strong appeal and tap into a market that is quickly becoming a key urban destination in the South Florida region.” Featuring 138 spacious rooms, The Harrick will be an all-suite property, with 118 one-bedroom suites and 20 two-bedroom suites, ranging in size from 630 to approximately 1,200 square-feet.   Each elegantly-designed guest room will feature a fully-equipped Poggenpohl™ kitchen, with state-of-the art Sub-Zero™ appliances and the penthouse floors will offer breath-taking cityscape and ocean views.  The roof-top pool deck with plush lounge seating will become the center of action, where guests can enjoy specialty cocktails while viewing the sunset. The hotel will also feature a comfortably chic living-room lobby, fitness center and a chef-driven restaurant, in addition to Kimpton’s signature services, amenities and programs.

Residence Inn by Marriott - Inventor of Extended-Stay Lodging - Opens 500th Hotel in Heart of New York City   Marriott International, Inc.'s Residence Inn brand, which pioneered the extended-stay category, today announced the official opening of its 500th hotel in the heart of New York City. The Manhattan/Times Square Residence Inn features elements of the brand's new Innfusion decor, reflecting the comforts and luxuries of a modern American home. It is the first Residence Inn in New York City. epresenting the new urban emphasis of the brand, the Manhattan/Times Square Residence Inn is part of a 45-story mixed-use development on the corner of Sixth Avenue and 39th Street, overlooking Bryant Park. Its state-of-the- art guest rooms feature five "zones" for cooking, dining, working, relaxing and sleeping to ensure maximum comfort and convenience. Highlights include stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, luxurious bedding, and a multi-functional living area with a 27-inch flat-screen LCD TV. The hotel is entirely smoke-free. "The new Innfusion decor redefines the extended-stay experience and we're delighted to report that the response from our guests, owners and franchisees has been overwhelmingly positive," said Laura Bates, senior vice president of extended-stay brands, Marriott International. Extended-stay guests who evaluated the new decor gave it high marks for being stylish, sophisticated, distinctive and innovative. The suite was rated "good" or "excellent" by 98 percent of guests, who also indicated they would be willing, on average, to pay more than a 15 percent premium for the experience. Commanding nearly a 30 percent revenue per available room (RevPAR) premium over the competition, Residence Inn by Marriott has dominated extended-stay innovation for 30 years by reinventing itself as customer needs have changed, and today remains one of the lodging industry's most powerful brands, with $1.7 billion in sales. The brand expects to add 25 to 30 hotels each year from 2006 to 2008."Residence Inn is one of Marriott's strongest performing brands with tremendous growth potential," said Ms. Bates. "The extended-stay product represents just 8 percent of the lodging market, while customer demand is upwards of 30 percent. Outstanding development opportunities exist in traditional locations, as well as in urban markets and with mixed-use developments." Residence Inn introduced the term "extended-stay" to serve the needs of business travelers seeking apartment-style accommodations for their longer stays. The brand's home-like suites provide spaciousness, flexibility and comfort with a relaxing, social community that enriches life away from home. Residence Inn participates in the company's award-winning Marriott Rewards(R) frequent-guest program, which enables guests to earn their choice of points toward free vacations or frequent flyer mileage in their preferred airline program. For more information or reservations, call the Residence Inn toll- free number at (800) 331-3131, or visit the web site at http://www.residenceinn.com/ .

Hard Rock Hotel to Begin Sales for San Diego's Hippest Condo-Hotel Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, the city's first branded condo-hotel, officially opens the doors to its 5,000 square-foot Sales Center at 345 Sixth Avenue. Under construction and slated to open spring 2007, the new Hard Rock Hotel, located in the Gaslamp Quarter at the corner of Fifth Avenue and L Street, will feature 420 luxury rooms and suites -- all for sale to individual buyers. "The opening of the Condo-Hotel Sales Center marks a significant milestone for the project," said Greg Casserly, President of Tarsadia Hotels, the operator. "This project provides San Diego's residents, guests and loyalists a chance to buy a piece of the Hard Rock experience, and what will become one of the hippest hotels in San Diego. Ownership here will offer all the conveniences of a luxury hotel without any of the hassles of second home ownership." The new Hard Rock Hotel San Diego will define modern standards of luxury and cool and will be the ultimate option for buyers seeking the hottest address in San Diego. The condo-hotel suites will range from 320 square foot studios to 1,500 square foot Rock Star suites, with prices starting in the $400s. Designed for buyers with a jet set lifestyle and rock star taste, each will feature sleek, modern furniture, the finest state-of-the-art lighting, an ultra-tech entertainment center featuring a LCD television, CD/DVD and iPod connections, a martini bar, plush feather-top bedding, an oversized work station, WiFi Internet access and a laptop safe.

Hilton Hotels Corp. will launch its first TV advertising campaign in more than 10 years when it rolls out new spots on Jan. 15,

Platinum Hotel and Spa Plans June Vegas Opening The Platinum Hotel and Spa [www.lvplatinum.com] is set to open in June in Las Vegas. The 255-suite condominium hotel and spa complex will cater to leisure and corporate travelers. Condos will be individually owned and feature plasma TVs, full kitchens, electric fireplaces, whirlpool baths and private terraces. The hotel will also have indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center and WELL Spa. No casino will be located on property.

The New Radisson SAS EU hotel to open in Brussels   Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts, the full-service international brand of  Rezidor SAS Hospitality, announces the opening of the new Radisson SAS EU Hotel in January 2006 in the heart of Brussels.  Nicolas Meylan , general manager of the Radisson SAS EU Hotel , comments, “Located in the heart of the European business area, the Radisson SAS EU Hotel will mainly focus on European and corporate business travelers during the week, while also offering a pleasant and welcoming place to stay for leisure travelers.” Rezidor SAS manages five hotels in Belgium under the Radisson SAS brand: the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel in Brussels, the Radisson SAS Park Lane Hotel in Antwerp, the Radisson SAS Balmoral Hotel and the Radisson SAS Palace Hotel, both in Spa, and the recently opened Radisson SAS Hotel in Hasselt.

InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong was named Industry High Flyer in the "Hong Kong Hotel" category of the Outstanding Enterprises 2005 Awards . The awards are organized by the prestigious “Hong Kong Business” magazine. InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong was selected along with fifty other High Flyers including Singapore Airlines, 3M, CLP Power Hong Kong Ltd. and Mercedes Benz China, to name but a few.

Hong Kong Business magazine selects the Territory’s industry “High Flyers” from over 900 publicly listed corporations and private enterprises. The awards are based on each company’s strength, reputation and performance, and each award winner must excel in its domain.  

Mr. Peter Pollmeier, General Manager, said, "The team and I are delighted to have received such a prestigious award in recognition of InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong’s remarkable performance. We are dedicated to providing impeccable levels of hospitality to our guests, and indeed committed to enhancing and reinforcing environmental efforts here at the Hotel”. InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong, a landmark property on the Tsimshatsui East harbour-front, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The Hotel first opened its doors to guests on September 18, 1981, and has established a reputation for refined service and hospitality ever since. The Hotel is also dedicated to working with, and for, the local community. This involves not only a number of environmental initiatives, but also supporting local organizations that provide care for those in greatest need. Providing for a better future for all is truly the greatest reward.

Luxury Edinburgh hoteliers, The Town House Company, have purchased one of Glasgow’s most famous historical buildings, the former Royal Scottish Automobile Club in Blythswood Square . The deal includes plans to sensitively convert the landmark property – built in 1823 - into a luxury, 109-bedroom hotel, renovating the building to its former glory with conference facilities, restaurants, a bar and first class leisure club and spa. Peter Taylor OBE, Chairman of The Town House Company, commented: “We have long admired this building for its location, historical importance and many fine architectural features.  The chance to restore the property tastefully into a contemporary hotel, retaining its unique features and personality is a wonderful opportunity.  It’s a magnificent building and we’re delighted to be the new owners.” A number of hoteliers and developers have expressed interest in the property since the RSAC building went into administration. With commercial property firm Rydens advising, The Town House Company made a swift unconditional offer for an undisclosed sum to secure the building which has been in family ownership since 2002. Included in the development will be the restoration of the famous Rally Bar, named after the Monte Carlo Rally which once started from Blythswood Square.  The building is also home to some of the finest Edwardian features in the city including extensive wood panelling, feature staircases, marble flooring, and numerous Art Deco fittings and fixtures.  With four luxury hotels in Edinburgh, Channings, The Howard, The Bonham and The Edinburgh Residence, the Town House Company are best known for their tasteful recreation of historical buildings into contemporary, award winning hotels, each with a unique personality and style.