Hotel News in Brief

Mar 19, 13 | 12:00 am

Some current conversation starters...

International Conference on Exploring new cultural horizons for Tourism.

The Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization presents his compliments to the Affiliate Members of the Organization, recipients of this note, and has the honour to invite them to attend the International Conference on Exploring new cultural horizons for Tourism, to be held in Manama, Bahrain, on 28-30 April 2013, at the invitation of H.E. Sheikha Mai Bint Mohammed ALKHALIFA, Minister of Culture of Bahrain. The Conference aims to explore new horizons for cultural tourism, identify innovative means to widen communities' involvement in the development of tourism products based on cultural heritage assets, in particular on the intangible heritage and living culture of host populations, thus creating new socio-economic opportunities for all through sustainable and responsible tourism development.

Astronomy hotel resort makes space a part of your vacation

City dwellers are often surprised when they travel to the countryside, look up, and suddenly see billions of stars twinkling clearly in the night sky. This view, often obscured when looking at the night sky from a large city due to the competing artificial light, can now be enjoyed at a hotel resort specifically geared toward budding astronomers looking to get away from it all. The Hotel Elqui Domos, located in the remote confines of Elqui Valley, Chile, offers the ultimate Earth-based vacation for space fans by housing guests in geodesic dome rooms with skylights that afford an unobstructed view of the night sky teeming with distant stars. In addition to the domes, the facility also includes four specially designed wooden observatory rooms, and a standard astronomic observatory featuring two electronic Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes that guests can use to take a closer look at the stars blanketing the night sky. Thankfully, this amazing facility is actually affordable, with rooms going for just $150 per night during peak season. You can get a better look at Hotel Elqui Domos thanks to a stunning time-lapse short film created by photographer James Florio by clicking here.

Survey: 25% of businesses set to book more conferences in 2013

A survey by British hotel chain Q Hotels shows a quarter of respondents expect their companies to book more conferences in 2013 than in the previous year. The group polled more than 600 company events bookers. Other findings included a shift away from residential meetings (meetings with overnight stays): 64 per cent of respondents said their companies were only willing to travel up to two hours for conferences, while nearly 70% said their organisations insisted that conferences only last one day. Q Hotels has 21 properties in the UK, and offers all-inclusive eight-hour and 24-hour meetings packages.

Key Appointments in the Industry

Congratulations to these new appointments...

Dorsett Hospitality International is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Hugo Gerritsen as Area General Manager of Dorsett Grand Subang and Dorsett Grand Labuan. Among his career milestones, Gerritsen had worked in various reputable hotel chains in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East such as the ITT Sheraton, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts and GoldenLeaves Hotels and Resorts. Prior to joining Dorsett Hospitality International, he was a Chief Operating Officer at Katara Hospitality in Qatar. Gerritsen graduated with a Diploma from the Hotel School in Arnhem, Netherlands and completed his professional education with Certification in Advanced Operational Analysis from Cornell University. Throughout his 30 years in the industry, Gerritsen has led various divisions including operations, property development, pre-opening and finance in which he had gained remarkable competency in leadership and management.

Continuing with the fine tradition of serving Michelin-star worthy dishes at Ming Court, Langham Place, Mongkok, Hong Kong announced the appointment of Chef Mango Tsang Chiu Lit as the new Executive Chef - East.  In this new role which he takes over from his younger brother Chef Tsang Chiu King, he will oversee two-Michelin star Ming Court's kitchen operations and Chinese banqueting.  In addition, the elder Chef Tsang will be working closely with the hotel's wine talents to further enhance the pairing experience at the modern luxury Cantonese restaurant.  "We are delighted to welcome the well-respected Chef Mango Tsang Chiu Lit to join Ming Court and lead the restaurant's kitchen as Executive Chef," says Shaun Campbell, general manager, Langham Place, Mongkok. "We look forward to working with Chef Mango to elevate the level of culinary excellence and build great memories for our guests."

The Latest in Hotel Openings

Fairmont is expanding its global portfolio of hotels and resorts with a new development in Istanbul, Turkey.Scheduled to open in 2016, the 210-room hotel will be joined by branded residences and is part of the Quasar Istanbul complex, a new mixed-use development in the Sisli district, a vibrant neighborhood blending commercial, residential and retail yet situated close to major attractions in the city. The Quasar Istanbul complex is in the central business district whose showpiece is the former Mecidiyekoy Liqueur and Cognac Factory. Built in the 1930's on then undeveloped land, the factory was designed by Robert Mallet-Stevens, who with Le Corbusier was among the most influential modern French architects of that era. Two 41-story towers will sit above a 4-story office podium with fitness facilities and luxury retail stores. The towers will house a Fairmont Hotel and Fairmont Residences as well as Quasar Residences and offices which will be managed by Fairmont.

First Hyatt Place Hotel Opens in NYC - Hyatt Place New York/Midtown-South highlights brand's move into urban, downtown locations. Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H), Chesapeake Lodging Trust (NYSE: CHSP) and Real Hospitality Group announced the opening of Hyatt Place New York/Midtown-South, marking the first Hyatt Place property to debut in New York City. The new Midtown Manhattan location represents a move into downtown urban locations for the upscale select service brand, which has grown by nearly 18 percent in the past three years. "New York is a significant and exciting market that represents so many opportunities for us as we look for meaningful growth across our portfolio of brands," said Rakesh Sarna, group president - Americas, Hyatt Hotels Corporation. "The opening of the city's first Hyatt Place is a significant step forward in our goal to become the most preferred brand for our guests, and we can't wait to show New Yorkers and its many visitors from around the world what Hyatt Place is all about."

JW Marriott to Make Italian Debut. Marriott International's JW Marriott brand plans to open the 266-room JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa on the private island of Sacca Sessola, located in the Venetian lagoon, in 2014. The resort, which will mark the luxury brand's first property in Italy, will operate under a management agreement with an affiliate of Aareal Bank AG. The island of Sacca Sessola is located a short boat ride from Venice. The JW Marriott brand currently has 59 properties in its portfolio and is represented in Europe with hotels in the UK, France, Turkey, Romania and Azerbaijan. In addition to restaurants and lounges, 13,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space, the Venice resort will feature a health club, full-service spa and indoor, outdoor and rooftop swimming pools.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, which this week opened the 532-room Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal in the UAE, plans to open a total of eight luxury hotels in 2013. The company has already opened a new 148-room wing at Ritz-Carlton Dubai, which launched on February 18. Hotels are due to open in China, Aruba and Kazakhstan, as well as in Bangalore, which will mark the chain's debut in India. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company global officer worldwide operations Bob Kharazmi told Hotelier Middle East: "We opened eight hotels in the last two years. We're looking at 10 more in the next 18 months. This year, 2013, we will open eight hotels. "We opened the expansion of Ritz-Carlton Dubai Beach on February 18 - with two new restaurants, 148 rooms, incredible spa facility, meeting space -and then March 12 we opened Abu Dhabi and then we have two properties in China - Chengdu and Tianjin. Also for the first time we go to India - Bangalore. We will open in Aruba [in December]; we are looking forward to opening that property as well."