Newly created position will lead brand’s growth plan across the region, with particular emphasis on China; veteran hotelier William Mackay assumes oversight of hotel operations in the region.

The 790-room establishment is Madrid’s third largest hotel and one of the capital’s most historical, since it opened in 1978. It will be completely refurbished before opening in 2016.

Meliá Cartagena in Cartagena de Indias will provide 154 rooms, a “destination-restaurant” and a buffet restaurant, a bar, spa, Beach Club and rooms for meetings and events.

The 556-room hotel is less than two miles from O’Hare Airport and just 13 miles from downtown Chicago.

Handing over the reins at PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur to Acting General Manager Goh Tee Kay, Sharmini will now helm the 534-room PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road in Singapore.

Conrad London Westminster, located between Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, is expected to welcome guests beginning in September 2014.

Designed for time-poor guests, Spa by JW adds express treatments to provide on-demand services that start at 12-minute entry points and are available without an appointment.

The video is designed to bring The Ritz-Carlton experience to life in a new and unexpected format that would be exciting to today’s social media savvy guests.

By Daniela Neiderer: Time spent studying hospitality seems to fly by as you rotate through different departments and, with internships, different countries.

By Jennifer Nagy: Hotel marketers need to think outside the media relations box to ensure that their property is as visible as possible and that their reputation is positive and well-protected.