Outrigger Mauritius Resort and Spa now open
The beachfront Outrigger Mauritius Resort and Spa is now open. The deluxe 181-room, all sea-view resort is the first in the Indian Ocean belonging to Outrigger Hotels and Resorts, the 66-year old Hawaii-based hospitality company which now has 45 properties open or under development in eight countries.
In Mauritius, the absolute beachfront property has an idyllic location on the southern tip of the island in the Bel Ombre nature reserve, adjacent to the Heritage Golf Club. The new Outrigger resort is surrounded on the landward side by expansive sugar cane plantations.
Outrigger Hotels and Resorts purchased the property in May 2013 and have completed an extensive refurbishment program.
The new Outrigger Mauritius Resort and Spa is a 45-minute drive from the international airport (MRU) and a 90-minute drive from the capital, Port Louis.
SilverNeedle Hospitality adds Bangkok's Riva Arun to its collection of boutique hotels
Singapore-based SilverNeedle Hospitality is adding the Riva Arun in Bangkok to its SilverNeedle Collection of independently-owned luxury boutique hotels after securing the contract to manage it. Located opposite the Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and along the Chao Phraya River in the historic centre of Bangkok, Riva Arun will comprise 25 rooms when construction is complete.
The Riva Arun will comprise two buildings built in the Sino-Portuguese colonial style, in homage to the design combining Chinese and Portuguese influences popular in Thailand for centuries. The hotel will also boast a rooftop bar where guests can relax by a scenic riverside location with a 360-degree view of Wat Arun and Wat Pho (the Royal Temple). Construction of Riva Arun is scheduled to be completed in 2015.
Riva Arun joins three hotels in the SilverNeedle Collection, which comprises Riva Surya, Bangkok, as well as the 137 Pillars House, Chiang Mai, and Kiridara, Luang Prabang.
Aloft coming to Coral Gables
Starwood Hotels & Resorts announced that its Aloft brand will debut in Coral Gables as part of a new mixed-use development. When it opens in January 2016, Aloft Coral Gables will be the eighth Aloft in Florida and will feature 137 loft-like rooms, urban-inspired design and a vibrant, social atmosphere. Following the August 2013 opening of Aloft Miami-Brickell, Aloft Coral Gables is the second Aloft hotel project owned and managed by a joint venture between Sunview Companies and HES Group.
Langham Place opens in Ningbo, China
Located in the new Cultural Plaza of Ningbo, China, the newly-opened Langham Place offers 143 rooms including 20 ultra-stylish suites. Ming Court offers a special dining experience surrounded by contemporary Chinese art decoration and ambiance. Other dining outlets include The Place, an all-day dining restaurant, Blend, presenting Langham Place's signature "High-Coffee", and Table One, offering seafood and Teppanyaki.
Nikki Beach Phuket is now open
Nikki Beach Worldwide have announced that the doors to Nikki Beach Phuket are now open. Nikki Beach Phuket, a beach club & restaurant, is the brand's 10th permanent location in the world and second location in Thailand. Located on the West coast of Phuket, along the shores of Layan Beach, Bangtao, the venue features views of the Andaman Sea.
The Nikki Beach Phuket oceanfront beach club & restaurant includes a pool, indoor & outdoor dining options, opium beds and 4 bars. Nikki Prive, the brand's ultra-VIP lounge, is located on the 2nd floor of the main building and is able to accommodate up to 70 guests for private events, dinners & celebrations and also includes a deck that can accommodate an additional 60 guests.
Marcus Hotels & Resorts to open AC Hotels by Marriott in Chicago
Marcus Hotels & Resorts announced it will convert its Four Points by Sheraton Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile hotel located at 630 N. Rush Street into one of the first AC Hotels by Marriott in the U.S. with an anticipated opening in spring 2015.
Inspired by the fashion houses of Spain and the runways of Italy, the AC Hotels by Marriott brand targets travelers searching for a design-led hotel in a great location with high-quality service. European aesthetics, stylish artifacts, simplistic designs and technology enabled functional spaces embody the brand.
"The AC by Marriott Chicago will include 226 rooms and 6,000 square-feet of meeting space. Public spaces will feature multimedia areas and local museum-quality artifacts. The AC Lounge will offer a bar area with cocktails, craft beers and small plate food offerings, comfortable seating and complimentary Wi-Fi overlooking the Magnificent Mile. The AC by Marriott Chicago will also include the AC Library, AC Fitness and AC breakfast, offering healthy crafted breakfast options. All guestrooms will have dramatic lighting, functional work spaces, free Wi-Fi and sophisticated furnishings," said Chris Anderson, senior vice president, Marcus Hotels & Resorts.
Founded by Antonio Catalan, The AC Hotels by Marriott brand was launched in Europe in 2011 as a joint venture between Marriott International and Spain's AC Hotels. Today, the brand has a total of nearly 80 hotels located in Spain, Italy, Portugal and France.
DoubleTree by Hilton debuts in Flagstaff on Route 66
DoubleTree by Hilton and Hilton Worldwide have announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Flagstaff following a nine-month, multi-million dollar renovation. The newly upgraded 183-room property, formerly an independent hotel, is located along the iconic Route 66, two miles from historic downtown Flagstaff, and just five miles from Flagstaff Pulliam Airport and 140 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
The hotel is owned by Uniwell Corporation and managed by Granite Hospitality. This year marks Uniwell's 25th year of ownership of the hotel.
The property-wide renovation, led by Los Angeles-based Level 3 Design Group, includes comprehensive updates and new furnishings throughout all of the public areas and guest rooms. Artwork displayed throughout the hotel reflects the landscape of Flagstaff, and guest rooms offer views of the nearby pine forest and sprawling mountains of Arizona.
DoubleTree by Hilton Flagstaff offers 6,500 square feet of flexible meeting and banquet facilities, including seven meeting rooms ranging in size from 460 square feet to a 3,900 square foot Grand Ballroom which can accommodate up to 400 people. Guests can also stay connected with the hotel's new 24-hour complimentary business center.
Sakura Teppanyaki & Sushi, first opened in 1990 as Flagstaff's original sushi bar, features tableside grilling and a menu of Japanese fare. Woodlands Restaurant & Lobby Lounge, open for all-day dining, offers a diverse menu of Southwestern and Asian cuisines.
In addition to the warm cookie welcome, guests will also enjoy DoubleTree by Hilton brand exclusives, including an assortment of gourmet in-room tea and coffee choices from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, an array of CITRON body care products by Crabtree & Evelyn and an industry-recognized service culture built around the idea of CARE, which stands for Create a Rewarding Experience, for guests, team members and the community. Each guest room and suite is equipped with wireless internet access and the signature DoubleTree by Hilton SweetDreams bed. Guests can enjoy a 24-hour fitness center featuring all new equipment, outdoor seasonal pool and hot tub, and large indoor whirlpool spa.
Hen of the Wood – Burlington opens at Hotel Vermont
Hen of the Wood is now open in Burlington at the recently opened Hotel Vermont Hotel. Hen of the Wood is a New England institution, featuring regionally focused cuisine by James Beard Award nominee Chef Eric Warnstedt. The restaurant's launch marks the final phase of Hotel Vermont's grand opening, which began welcoming guests in May 2013.
Hen of the Wood – Burlington will serve dinner seven nights a week. The menus are printed daily and crafted from small, regional producers and family farms. The beverage program, overseen by Co-Owner William McNeil, features a rotating list of natural, non-interventionist wines along with beers that follow similar philosophies.
Originally opened in Waterbury in 2005 by Co-Owners Eric Warnstedt and Wine Specialist William McNeil, Hen of the Wood is known for its simple, uncomplicated and down-to-earth dishes created daily from the premium ingredients found in the Green Mountains and Champlain Valley of Vermont. All of the restaurant's producers practice environmentally sound agriculture and sustainable farming.
Construction completed on Hyatt Place renovation in downtown Minneapolis
Stahl Construction recently completed an extensive $15 million design/build occupied renovation of a 240,000-square-foot hotel in Centre Village in Downtown Minneapolis. Previously a Comfort Suites, Stahl Construction was hired by the Summit Group to update the property from its 1980s design to a more contemporary Hyatt Place. This hotel is the third Hyatt Place hotel in Minnesota for Hyatt Hotels Corporation.
A major new feature hotel in the Twin Cities, the Hyatt Place Minneapolis Downtown is now the closest hotel to the future Minnesota Multipurpose Stadium and is the first project completed in the redevelopment of that area. Designed by Michael Monn Architects, the hotel features an atrium-style layout with 213 suites, meeting amenities, workout facility, indoor heated saline swimming pool, restaurant and bar lounge. The hotel commissioned the installation of a 184" diagonal dropdown, HD-format projection screen in the lounge area. This 3D capable screen is one of the largest of its kind and will be used for sports viewing and presentations.
