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Hotel News In Brief

Sep 21, 06 | 7:46 am

The Denver Marriott Tech Center has completed phase I of a $15 million renovation. This new redevelopment of Denver's third largest hotel encompasses more than 210,000 square feet of the hotel's guest rooms and suites.Redesigned with the constant evolving needs of the business traveler in mind, the new spacious guest rooms boast a long list of appealing amenities, including luxuriously new bedding, high-speed Internet access, large desks with ergonomic chairs and in-room movies. Each bathroom underwent a transformation, upgrading to new Speakman showerheads that ensure an invigorating shower, along with curved shower rods and beautiful granite countertops.To accompany the modern conveniences added to each guest room, the d?cor was appropriately configured as well. An authentic Colorado feel gives each space a calming effect. From the relaxing color scheme to the stylish furnishings, the result is a warm and pleasing atmosphere that is sure to suit business and leisure travelers alike.In addition to the guest rooms, phase II begins November 27, 2006 with the reconfiguration of the atrium to capture the spirit of Denver as well as the addition of more seating to accommodate larger group functions. The 12,200 square foot ballroom will also see significant changes and the lounge area will be redesigned to feature more New Belgium Brewery selections.

Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa recently broke ground on a $25 million renovation that will transform the property's public areas into a stylish haven for socializing, fine dining, and relaxation. The makeover, to be completed in several stages over the next nine months, will bring a new energy to the property while preserving its striking views and enhancing signature elements like its popular boat rides. One signature element that will be preserved is the dramatic approach framed by rows of palm trees; when they reach the end of the drive, guests will be welcomed to the 884-room resort by an impressive new porte-cochere featuring dramatic water features that will spill into reflecting pools of Italian mosaic glass tile. The water features will be framed by grand stone columns topped by a Brazilian teak wood ceiling. An impressive fire cauldron will crackle at the entrance, creating a stunning visual contrast and hinting at the striking features waiting inside. When completed in Fall 2006, Desert Springs' refurbished atrium lobby, measuring nearly 30,000 square feet, will serve as an epicenter of activity for guests and locals alike-with several new elements that will be tied together with contemporary design by Creative Resource Associates (one of Lodging Hospitality's Design Stars) and ever-present views of the surrounding landscape. Floors of random quartzite will be dotted by planters and oversized candles. In the center of the lobby, a 60-foot bar will be marked by a glass mosaic water wall in muted reds and browns. Behind the bar, water will flow over another wall made of textured glass. A makeover of Desert Springs' on-site Starbucks has just been completed; with a picturesque outdoor seating complete with three fire pits, it is now the brand's largest location at 2,000 square feet.

The Capital Markets Group of Molinaro Koger (MK) secured optimal financing totaling $13.2 million for two Park City, Utah, hotel properties, the Hampton Inn & Suites and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites on behalf of  Navnish Development, LLC (Navnish) to support the purchase of the properties. The financing was provided by CIBC Capital Markets. Navnish has retained Integral Hospitality Solutions, LLC (Integral) to manage the hotels.  “Navnish is a highly adept, accomplished and energetic hotel company in an active acquisition mode,” commented Ed Blum , Managing Director of MK’s Capital Markets Group. “It was a pleasure to assist them in sourcing a loan which provided attractive terms and rates, thus improving the projected return on their investments.” Navnish selected the two properties in Park City based on the area’s growing economy, the hotels’ excellent physical condition and perceived performance upside. Originally built around three major ski resorts, Park City, Deer Valley and The Canyons, Park City is a fashionable year-round destination. It attracts more than 1.6 million skiers each year, served as one of the major venues for the 2002 Winter Olympics and hosts the world-renowned Sundance Film Festival every January.

Best Western International announces the opening of the Best Western San Isidro Inn located at 1410 Hospitality Drive in Laredo, Texas. This brand-new hotel, owned by Sandia Drive Hospitality LTD, offers 81 spacious rooms including three suites. Guests will enjoy the outdoor swimming pool and fitness center. A complimentary full breakfast is available each morning. The hotel offers two meeting rooms to accommodate up to 50 people. A shuttle to Laredo International Airport is available at no charge. Rates start at $99 per night. Travelers can contact the property directly for special packages. The Best Western San Isidro Inn offers a variety of amenities including complimentary high-speed Internet access, free local phone calls (up to 30 minutes) and coffee/tea service in all rooms. In addition, each room is equipped with a refrigerator, microwave and some rooms offer a balcony view. "Best Western is pleased to welcome the brand-new San Isidro Inn to our chain," said Mark Williams, vice president, North American Development for Best Western International. "Convenient airport location and amenities make this a perfect lodging option for business and leisure guests traveling to Laredo." The hotel is located near Mexico and offers guests many tourist attractions and shopping. Those visiting Texas A & M International University will find the San Isidro Inn a convenient lodging choice, just four miles from the campus. Recreational activities include sporting events and concerts at Laredo Entertainment Center, golf at Laredo County Golf Club or picnics at Casablanca State Park just a short distance from the hotel.

Davidson Hotel Company, one of the nation’s largest hotel management companies, today announced that the 496-room Hilton Alexandria Mark Center has completed a $10.2 million renovation.   To celebrate the occasion, the hotel is offering a complimentary Bed by Hilton and luxurious linens to meeting and event planners who book in excess of $100,000 of business by December 31, 2006 for events occurring between now and year-end 2007. The multi-million dollar renovation included guest room installations ranging from new wall coverings and carpeting to the Bed by Hilton and Serenity bathroom products.  Additionally, the lobby and lobby bar were enhanced and redesigned in a more contemporary style and the 45,000 square feet of meeting space was upgraded and refreshed.  A major life-safety system also was added.

San Diego's Pickwick Hotel will reopen in December as The Sofia Hotel  Owners of The Pickwick Hotel, located in the heart of downtown San Diego at the corner of Front and Broadway, today announced a $16 million renovation scheduled to be completed in December 2006. Built in 1926 as one of the most luxurious accommodations in San Diego, the historic structure will reopen as The Sofia Hotel after being transformed into a modern, stylish boutique property, offering an exceptional level of spa-inspired, personalized guest services, according to Ken Winslow, president of Pickwick Partners, Inc. "Since its inception, the hotel has been an important San Diego historical landmark; for this remodel, we took great care to preserve the property's distinct gothic architecture while transforming its interior into an entirely new environment creating urban, smart, sophisticated accommodations and public spaces tailored to fit the discerning tastes of both business and leisure travelers," said Winslow. "Of course, The Sofia Hotel will also retain its most appealing feature - its prime, central location near the renowned Gaslamp Quarter across from Horton Plaza, where visitors can enjoy the convenience of walking to San Diego's most popular restaurants and attractions, as well as the city's picturesque convention center." Acclaimed architect Richard Bundy was chosen to lead The Sofia Hotel project based on his extensive experience in providing master planning and architectural services for historic renovations in the San Diego area. "Our goal in the Sofia development is to refurbish the spirit of the original hotel. In doing so, we are working to retain the important architectural spaces such as the hotel's lobby, guest rooms, staircases and hallways so that the hotel will be new, yet retain the glory of the late "20s when it was built"" said Bundy.

New Holiday Inn opens in Moscow   As one of seven new hotels opens its doors in the capital Mayor Yuri Luzhkov called on potential investors to finance hotels construction promising "comfortable work conditions" New Holiday Inn Moscow Sokolniki is the biggest of four hotels of the same chain in Moscow and the third largest hotel of this chain in the world. The total area of the hotel is 55,615 square meters, including 9,880 sq m of underground area. All the 523 rooms for 1,046 guests are situated in the 25-storied building, other facilities are located in the four-storied neighboring block. According to the estimations from the Ernst and Young, better correlation between price and quality distinguishes new Holiday Inn Sokolniki from other hotels of the same chain in Moscow. The total amount of investment was equal to $ 70 mln. The moneyfor the construction came from the Bank of Moscow. At the opening ceremony Markku Valberg, the general manager of the hotel told journalists that the average annual capacity of the hotel is expected to be 60-80% and the average price for one room will be no less than $ 150-160. According to Valberg, the expected revenue from the accommodation facilities and the revenue from the other facilities (including bars, restaurants, rent, etc.) is to be 65% and 35% respectively. The expected term of investment return is 5-8 years.The Holiday Inn 3 star Moscow Sokolniki is situated 15 minutes away from the Moscow city center and next to Sokolniki Expocenter. It takes 10 minutes to get there from the Leningradsky Moscow railway station, or a 45-minute drive from the Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport. The Moscow metro station Sokolniki is within a 2-minute walk from the hotel . Holiday Inn Sokolniki offers 14 meeting rooms, that can accommodate 750 guests, business center, three restaurants, two bars, indoor swimming pool, spa and fitness center.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa Re-Opens Four Seasons is unveiling three exceptional experiences in the Maldives comprising two very different resorts and one luxury catamaran. Set amidst a vibrant garden island, the brand new Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa reopens today with a traditional Maldivian village setting and legendary Four Seasons service. The company’s second and highly anticipated new resort, Landaa Giraavaru, will open on November 1, 2006. ituated in the Baa Atoll, the Resort is a paradise hideaway where seclusion meets wild natural beauty. Guests can further explore the far flung and seldom-visited atolls in the Maldives in the comfort of the company’s luxury catamaran, the Four Seasons Explorer. The opening of the Resorts marks the return of two hundred local staff who have been deployed to work at other Four Seasons properties around the world after Kuda Huraa was forced to close following the tsunami.  Each returns to the Maldives with new personal and professional experience gained from working in hotels and resorts in locations ranging from Dallas, Palm Beach, Washington D.C., Provence, Hampshire, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo and Singapore.  Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa The original Four Seasons resort on the island of Kuda Huraa in the North Male Atoll reopens following an extensive period of reconstruction. Only a 25-minute speedboat ride from Malé, the Resort’s Maldivian village-like feel makes it perfect for families and couples who enjoy a social environment in a vibrant setting.  The Resort’s 96 beach and water bungalows combine a generous use of timber and thatch with modern tropical furnishings and comforts.