Hotel News In Brief

Mar 08, 06 | 8:46 am

Luxury Asian brand Meritus Hotels & Resorts will open Meritus Wanjia Spa Resort, Sanya, Hainan China , its fourth hotel in the People’s Republic of China in July 2006. It offers a unique intimate contemporary Chinese therapeutic experience that will allow you to relax and rejuvenate your mind, body and soul. The 188-room deluxe resort located on the southernmost city of China known for its beautiful scenery and tropical beaches is built on sea-view land with two natural hot spring sources on the site. It is in Sanya Bay, the newest tourist area, 10 minutes away from Sanya Phoenix International Airport and is midway to downtown Sanya. The luxurious bedrooms and suites, all with balconies, offer panoramic views of either the pristine white sandy beach or a therapeutic mountain view. Equipped with all the features expected of a modern five-star resort, rooms include flat screen television, wireless broadband internet access and luxury bathroom with separate bath and shower area. The hotel has seven food & beverage outlets offering both indoor and outdoor dining experiences with a wide range of Asian to Western cuisines. Its leisure facilities include outdoor swimming pool, putting green, state-of-the-art fitness centre and spa with separate private treatment suites for men and women. Couples can also enjoy their massages together in one of the outdoor pavilions set amidst lush greenery. Golf and other places of interest are available close by. Although just midway to downtown Sanya, Meritus Wanjia Spa Resort offers a number of opportunities for guests to relax and entertain. These include a splendid lobby bar, a Karaoke lounge and an all-day dining restaurant.

Meritus Hotels & Resorts has appointed Hideyuki Yanaka as its Vice President of Sales on 28 February 2006 and will be based in Singapore. Yanaka will primarily be responsible for deploying the company’s sales strategies and initiatives while overseeing the regional Sales offices in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Australia, India, North America and Europe. Yanaka will focus on revenue growth from targeted markets for the entire Meritus portfolio. Yanaka has over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including senior roles in Australia, China and Japan for international airlines and hotel chains. Prior to joining Meritus Hotels & Resorts, Yanaka was the Vice President of Sales, Asia Pacific for Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts. Frank Foster, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Sales said “Hidey Yanaka adds considerable experience to the team – his expertise will further enhance and support our global strategies”

The dream is becoming a reality.  The Royal Phuket Marina, Thailand’s first world-class “luxury lifestyle marina” rivaling top resort communities in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, is proving a sensational hit with investors, yachtsmen and the local community on the “paradise island” of Phuket . In just a year and a half on the market, nearly all of the 66 luxury condos and penthouses, in Phase One of the island’s first ‘high-end’ residential marina, have been snapped-up by new residents and investors. Meanwhile, the Fisherman’s Wharf-style waterfront, which will eventually accommodate a variety of up market restaurants, bars and cafes - led by the opening of Les Anges , a gourmet patisserie setting the superb quality benchmark for the future of the boardwalk – has set the tone of things to come on Phuket’s eastern seaboard. As expected, Les Anges has proved an instant success for Peter Webber, who was formerly Executive Patisserie Chef at Bangkok’s Oriental Hotel and earlier at The Savoy in London. Les Anges '  new "Sunday Brunch on the Boardwalk’ features an all day a la carte menu and drinks are 2-4-1 during ‘Sunset Hour’ from 5:00pm to 7:00pm daily. Fully operational and already teeming with luxury boats, Royal Phuket Marina is the only marina in South East Asia to offer private moorings on the doorsteps of its residences.  Other sophisticated offerings include a boat lock located in the inner marina (currently under construction) with a non-tidal deep water basin. With over one hundred tropical island beaches just a short cruise away, year round sailing makes Phuket an even more attractive destination for avid yachtsmen. Ensuring that every nautical adventure goes off without a hitch, Royal Phuket Marina’s highly trained marina concierges provide many of the exceptional services only offered at a five-star hotel.  Owners and guests of the marina can enjoy morning newspaper delivery and fresh bread and croissants from Les Anges bakery.  Meanwhile, picnic hampers and other provisions can be delivered to boats and residences. The marina concierge will also assist with baggage and other errands, car rental and tours. Asia’s most sophisticated and high-tech yachting haven was even an award-winner before it officially opened, awarded the prestigious “ Five Gold Anchor” by the Yacht Harbour Association, an arm of the British Marine Federation.

Jebel Ali International Hotels, the leading hospitality company that manages several of Dubai’s most luxurious properties, has announced the addition of the Oasis Beach Tower to their product portfolio . The Oasis Beach Tower, overlooking the Oasis Beach Hotel, has been launched as a luxury hotel apartment tower that will add almost 500 rooms to the company’s inventory.  The impressive 245 metre high tower, whose sheer size and elegant design makes it one of the most recognisable ones on the Jumeirah beach strip, comprises 180 two-, three- and four-bedroom luxury serviced apartments spread across 45 floors. David Thomson, General Manager Corporate Affairs of Jebel Ali International Hotels expressed his enthusiasm: “Naturally we are absolutely delighted to add this stunning property to the list of inspiring hotels, venues and facilities that we manage as a company.  I have no doubt the Oasis Beach Tower will become a true landmark in new Dubai – the feedback from our international and local partners so far has been fantastic and we look forward to a very exciting time in the next couple of months.” Residents of the Oasis Beach Tower will benefit from a wealth of services, facilities and amenities including an on-site pool deck, complimentary access to the Oasis Beach Club and in-apartment dining services.  While the Oasis Beach Tower can accommodate short and longer term stays, a mixture of international visitors, corporate clients and UAE residents are expected to make up the majority of the business mix.  The size and luxury of not only the Oasis Beach Tower, but every single apartment within it, introduces the start of a new era in the art of living.  This sentiment was echoed by Martin Weber, General Manager of the Oasis Beach Hotel & Tower.

Club Med Bali Celebrates 20 Years     Club Med Bali, a village nestled gently in the South of this legendry island, provides the perfect setting to discover and create unforgettable Club Med moments; a hallmark of the international holiday company's vision and ethos. Enchanting and convivial, Club Med Bali offers the perfect setting for a refined and welcoming holiday experience. Tucked away on the mystical and charming "Island of the Gods", the village offers all the modern-day facilities and amenities while maintaining traditional Balinese charm and culture. Cultivating the art of self-indulgence, its spa and beauty therapies offer blissful moments of relaxation, which will revitalize your energy and nourish your well-being. From its lush, exotic gardens to the geniality and warmth of the G.O.s, Club Med Bali promises to entice holiday makers seeking a truly unforgettable holiday experience from the moment they step into the enchanting and luxurious village that is both private and exclusive, ensuring peace of mind and security for all its guests. The village offers 400 well-appointed rooms - Deluxe and Suite - all exuding the intoxicating charm of Bali which is renowned the world over. Two estaurants, offering a choice of indoor or al fresco dining, serve an array of gastronomic delights that will titillate the taste-buds of any guest.  An extensive range of activities including the Flying Trapeze, Bungy Bounce, Yoga, Golf, Archery, Petanque, Windsurfing and Squash among others, provide guests with unlimited opportunities to create tailor-made vacations to satisfy their needs and interests. For those who prefer to explore the island of Bali, excursions can be arranged to the scenic sights and attractions including the nearby islands such as Lembongan, the landmark Uluwatu and Besakih temples, the enticing art markets of Ubud and much more.  

Luxury Lifestyle Hotels & Resorts is delighted to announce that the Gran Hotel Son Julia, located in Llucmajor (Mallorca, Spain), and the Hostellerie les Frênes, located in Provence (South of France), have been accepted as new affiliated members . Both hotels joined LLH&R in the beginning of 2006. The expertise of Luxury Lifestyle Hotels & resorts will benefit them to succeed in their international image and sales development. With over 65 hotels and resorts in 13 European countries, Luxury Lifestyle Hotels & Resorts provides its collections of hotels with specific marketing tools, high technologies, strategic alliances and a large worldwide network. Mr Bernardo Cabot, Luxury Lifestyle Hotels & Resorts CEO comments: “The introduction of the Gran Hotel Son Julia and the Hostellerie les Frênes into our Luxury and Lifestyle collections reinforces our growing positioning in Europe . We are very pleased to welcome them and we are convinced to offer unique experiences to the customers with these exclusive hotels.”  The Gran Hotel Son Julia is a 15th century mansion, located in the South Eastern part of Mallorca . This serene mansion has been beautifully restored into a splendid luxury hotel. The hotel consists of 24 individually-designed rooms and impressive suites, together with state-of-art facilities. Arabic Gardens and the Orange Patio are the ideal place to retreat after a long day. The Gran Hotel Son Julia provides its guests with a world of relaxation with an indoor and outdoor pool, a state of the art gym and spa, Turkish hammam and wellness area. Son Julia Hotel is also the perfect venue for corporate meetings, product launches, weddings, gala dinners or any kind of private event.  The Hostellerie Les Frênes is an unique charming property located in the heart of Provence, France . The hotel is first and foremost a family affair that quickly became famous inside the Theatre world, by welcoming actors of the Theatre's Festival of Avignon and other travellers, seeking quietude, comfort and luxury in a certain simplicity. The hotel consists of 20 elegant and spacious bedrooms decorated in the warm colours of the Provence . The hotel restaurant “Le Jardin des Frênes”, rewarded by numerous gastronomic guides and personified by the Master Antoine Biancone offers a tantalizing journey through the best of Provencal cuisine. The Hostellerie Les Frênes is today one of Provence 's best places to stay, ideally located for a stay in the Papal city of Avignon .

First Park Inn hotel opens in Russia    Rezidor SAS Hospitality opens its first international, mid-market hotel in Russia under the Park Inn brand, marking the entry of the company in the mid-market segment in this region. The project stands out with its bright, fresh and vibrant interior décor and friendly staff. The newly built hotel in Ekaterinburg serves as a prototype for further expansion of the Park Inn brand in Russia. Marko Hytonen, Area Vice President for Rezidor SAS Hospitality says:  “We are very happy to announce the opening of the first Park Inn hotel in Russia. The arrival of the international brand in Ekaterinburg is especially great at a time when the third largest city of Russia is going through such an amazing development and we are proud to be part of that.” “With this hotel, Rezidor SAS is pursuing its strategy of strengthening company presence in the Russian hotel market. Park Inn opening represents a significant step in the new multi-brand expansion strategy for Rezidor SAS in Russia. Our ambition is to reach 20 hotels within the next five years. The fastest growth is planned for our new brand - Park Inn hotels, especially focusing on large regional cities of Russia where the demand for mid-market hotels is very high,” comments Marko Hytonen. Park Inn Ekaterinburg features 160 newly designed guest rooms with flat-screen TV, a conference room with daylight and state-of-the-art equipment and a restaurant called ‘Magellan’. The hotel has technologically advanced facilities and free broadband service (Wireless Internet Access) throughout the hotel. The new hotel has the product and service levels, which Park Inn strives to achieve. Park Inn hotels are highly efficient, fresh and innovative, international mid-market hotels. They focus on mastering the essentials of a great hotel experience within their class; having warm and casual service, being spotlessly clean, easy to use and safe.  “Park Inn by Rezidor SAS provides an interesting alternative for their customers, and it will further develop Ekaterinburg as an attractive destination for both business and leisure travellers. We are committed to work in cooperation with the City Administration to develop interesting destination promotion programs. Being part of powerful reservation and marketing systems, we will use our resources to promote the city internationally,” says Sanjay Deva, General Manager, Park Inn Ekaterinburg.

Park Inn, the new and energetic mid-market hotel brand operated by Rezidor SAS, expands its portfolio in Ireland with the opening today of Park Inn Dublin in the country’s capital city.   The property currently has 73 guest rooms, with an additional 20 rooms to be added in 2008/9. Other facilities include a restaurant, a bar, a business centre and meeting and conference facilities including a state-of-the-art auditorium. In addition, the hotel houses the Chimney Viewing Tower offering excellent views over the city of Dublin. The hotel, previously operating as Chief O’Neill’s, is located in Dublin’s city centre in an area known as Smithfield, which is the largest purpose-built civic space in Europe and the fastest growing legal and commercial office district in Dublin. Within close proximity to the hotel are shops, restaurants, the Old Jameson Distillery, the Guinness Storehouse and the National Museum of Ireland. Ireland is a key growth market for Rezidor SAS and Park Inn Dublin is the third property in the country under the Park Inn brand, following the openings of both Park Inn Dundalk and Park Inn Mulranny in March 2005. Two further openings are scheduled for 2007 ­ Park Inn Ballinasloe and Park Inn Newry in Northern Ireland. With the new Park Inn Dublin, the well established Radisson SAS St. Helen’s Hotel and the new opening later this year of the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel in Dublin, Rezidor SAS will be operating three properties in Ireland’s capital city, giving the company a significant presence in the market place.

Accor announces the agreement to sell a portfolio of six U.S. Sofitel hotels for $370 million to a joint venture comprised of GEM Realty Capital, Whitehall Street Global Real Estate Limited Partnership 2005 and Accor. The six hotels, totaling 1,931 rooms, are located in the major metropolitan markets of Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, San Francisco Bay and Washington D.C. Accor will remain a 25% shareholder in the joint venture and will continue to manage the hotels under the Sofitel brand name through a 25-year contract. The transaction is in line with Accor’s asset management strategy in the upper upscale segment, which is to reduce capital intensity and earnings volatility through “sale and management back” transactions.  This transaction enables Accor to partner with well-known hotel real estate investors providing opportunities to expand under management contracts the Sofitel network in North America.  “For our customers, vendors and employees, this partnership will be a seamless transition that will allow us to significantly accelerate the presence of Sofitel throughout North America,” said Georges Le Mener, president and CEO of Accor North America. “And we gain not just investors, but true partners. Whitehall already has investments in many Accor hotels worldwide. Working with GEM is a first for us, but we’re excited by the dynamism and creativity of the team, and their vision for the growth of our joint venture.”