Hotel News In Brief

Mar 15, 06 | 8:46 am

Singapore LC Development To Build S$92M Airport Hotel   The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said in a statement Friday that it has awarded a Changi Airport site for lease to L.C. Development Ltd. (L38.SG) to build and operate the city-state's first airport hotel. The S$92 million hotel will be named Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Hotel, L.C. Development said in a separate statement  The hotel is expected to be opened by mid-2008, it added. The nine-storey building will occupy a site of about 7,700 square meters next to the upcoming Terminal 3. The hotel will have up to 350 guest rooms and will be linked to the new Terminal 3. L.C. Development said it has appointed the InterContinental Hotels Group to manage the airport hotel under its Crowne Plaza hotel brand.

Tata to build hotels in Jo’burg, Cape Town   INDIAN conglomerate Tata said yesterday it would tie up deals this week to build hotels in Johannesburg and Cape Town in what would be the group’s first investment in SA’s tourism sector. Head of Tata’s large hotels chain, Raymond Bickson, said in Johannesburg Tata planned to sign a deal last night to build a hotel at Melrose Arch and a second deal was due to be signed in Cape Town today. These marked further steps in Tata’s plans to become a large investor in SA. Plans to build a R650m ferrochrome smelter in SA were advanced, and Tata had expressed interest in buying Anglo American’s Highveld Steel & Vanadium. Chairman Rata Tata, who is also in SA at present, could not confirm whether Tata had submitted a bid for Highveld.Melrose Arch Development Company head Nicholas Stopforth confirmed it was signing an agreement with Tata to explore a hotel development. However, he said talks were also under way with two other foreign investors in this regard.Tata, with revenues of about $18bn last year, has 56 hotels in India and 13 in countries such as Mauritius, the UK and Sri Lanka. Tata and Bickson were speaking on the sidelines of an awards ceremony for the group’s vehicle dealers in SA. The dealers heard Tata was hoping to launch its controversial “one-lakh” car, which would cost about $2000, early in 2008. Controversy surrounds the development of the super-cheap car because of potential effect on roads and the environment. SA’s road infrastructure is already creaking under the weight of rapidly growing vehicle numbers. There are also concerns internationally about the increase in pollution caused by more cars on the roads. The launch of Tata cars late in 2004, through the Imperial group, exceeded expectations and Tata is planning to double last year’s sales in SA to 20000 units this year.

Eurostars hotels to open fourth establishment in Italy   Eurostars Hotels is taking a new step forward in their firm commitment to international expansion by incorporating the Eurostars Roma Congress Hotel & Conference Centre (Roma). After this integration, the chain will  have 31 establishments operating and will thereby reaffirm its wish to grow within Europe by means of consolidating its portfolio both in traditional tourist destinations and new emerging markets on the Old Continent. In the words of the President of Hotusa, Amancio Lopez, “the incorporation of a new establishment in Rome reinforces the firm confidence which the company deposits in locations such as the Italian capital, which are unique due to their rich cultural offer and standing among the main tourist destinations on a worldwide scale. Lopez also adds that the hotel offers modern and complete installations, which fit perfectly with our top of the range urban line with carefully planned interior design and top quality services” . Eurostars Hotels manages three other hotels in Italy: Eurostars Domus Aurea and Eurostars International Palace, both located in Rome and Eurostars Toscana, recently acquired, located in Lucca. The Hotusa Group also has, in its hotel operation division, a fourth establishment in this country: Hotel Saint Paul, also located in the Citta Eterna. In the future, the chain, which has a portfolio of 24 establishments in Spain, 4 in Italy, 1 in Austria, 1 in Belgium and 1 in Portugal, anticipates the opening of the Eurostars Leon (Leon).

Swissôtel Ankara set to open in May  Located in Cankaya which is a prime city location within the vicinity of the presidential palace, and international embassies, Swissôtel Ankara is expected to open its doors in May 2006. The capital and second largest city in Turkey, Ankara is an important crossroads of trade, strategically located at the centre of Turkey’s highway and rail network. The city’s rich history can be seen through its many finely preserved remains of Greek, Roman and Byzantine architecture, including the Column of Julian and the Temple of Roma and Augustus. The modern Ankara is well-planned and lined with wide boulevards and fashionable shops, with the Ataturk Mausoleum complex as the central structure. Swissôtel Ankara will feature 150 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology and extensive range of amenities and services.

Denihan Hospitality Group (DHG) and John Fitzpatrick, CEO Fitzpatrick US Hotels, announce that the Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel is under contract for sale to DHG for an undisclosed sum. The purchase is expected to close in April, 2006, at which time the hotel will be renamed the Affinia Chicago. DHG, a family-owned company with more than 40 years hospitality management experience, currently owns and operates six hotels in New York under The Benjamin and Affinia Hotels brands and manages several independent properties. Acquisition of the Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel marks Affinia’s first expansion outside New York City and a major step towards Affinia’s long-term goal to become a national brand with hotels in the top 25 U.S. markets.  Patrick Denihan, co-CEO of DHG stated, “The purchase of Fitzpatrick Chicago is a milestone in DHG’s goal to build our portfolio nationally, and a perfect complement to the Affinia branded hotels in New York.” The Fitzpatrick Chicago Hotel is currently owned by the Fitzpatrick Hotel Group, which operates three other U.S. hotels- the Fitzpatrick Manhattan, The Fitzpatrick Grand Central, and a third that is operated under a long-term contract.

Shangri-La Penang to be Traders Hotel   Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific's leading luxury group, as part of its rebranding exercise will rebrand the Shangri-La Hotel Penang as the Traders Hotel, Penang effective April 1.  Having experienced its most successful year to date in 2005, and through worldwide expansion and emerging as an increasing strong force on the international hotel scene, the group is repositioning itself for greater strength. Shangri-La Penang general manager Elaine Yue said Shangri-La was creating clearer distinctions between the brands, Shangri-La and Traders, to ensure that each individual hotel was able to maximise its potential and grow with the group as a whole. "As part of this initiative, our 442-room Shangri-La Hotel Penang will be rebranded as the Traders Hotel, Penang. "This rebranding will set the foundation for the hotel's long term competitiveness in the global market. "Commitment to customer and employee loyalty and satisfaction will remain the prime focus at Traders Hotel, Penang," she said.

Marriott opens new hotel in Cologne   Just a few footsteps away from the famous historic cathedral, Marriott Interna-tional has announced the launch of the new Cologne Marriott Hotel. The hotel has 282 guest rooms and suites, as well as 12 conference and meeting spaces in differ-ent sizes. Furthermore, “Fou, the crazy brasserie” and the “Plüsch – Bar & Lounge” belong to the property. It is Marriott International’s first new opening with rooms featuring the Marriott Revive beds. Situated near the main train sta-tion, tourists as well as business travelers will be attracted by the new hotel. The building in the Johannisstrasse was a former municipal office. The building was completely renovated over the past years under the supervision of Lange & Luehrmann architects, Frankfurt. The elegant property is dedicated to be the future meeting point of tourists, business travelers and the citizens of Cologne. Interior Designer Keith Wright chose warm colors and modern forms as a key element of the interior. The design of the building around the circular courtyard provides many of the rooms with a unique layout.

Loews Hotels announces it has signed a letter of intent to assume management of The Madison, the landmark Washington DC hotel, on or about April 1, 2006 . The hotel, which opened in 1963, has hosted every President since John F. Kennedy, as well as countless heads of state, international business leaders and some of Washington's most notable figures. Loews Hotels' luxury service and amenities will compliment the recent multimillion-dollar renovation, which restored the beautiful Four Diamond product, creating a new FOUR DIAMOND and MORE experience. ”Loews Hotels has been seeking the right opportunity to return to the Washington, DC market, where we have had a leading presence for more than 30 years," said Jack Adler, President and Chief Operating Officer of Loews Hotels. "We are so pleased that the historic Madison Hotel, with its rich heritage, will be part of the Loews Hotels' expanding brand of supremely comfortable, vibrant, and uniquely local properties," continued Adler. "We are proud of all that The Buccini/Pollin Group and PMHS have accomplished during the acquisition, redevelopment, and reopening of The Madison," said Dave Pollin, the project's developer. "The decision to go with Loews Hotels was made to leverage their outstanding global reputation, strong brand distribution, and first-rate sales network," continued Pollin.