IHG opens first Crowne Plaza in Serbia
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has opened the first Crowne Plaza in Serbia – Crowne Plaza Belgrade. Boasting the largest hotel ballroom in the country, the hotel's is hoping its meeting facilities set it apart from the competition.
Originally opened as InterContinental Belgrade in 1979, the hotel was bought by Delta Holding in 2008. Delta Holding has since signed a new management agreement with IHG and has invested in the transformation of this famous hotel into a Crowne Plaza. The distinctive look of the hotel's exterior has been retained whilst the interior has been completely restyled to encompass a simplistic elegant design and large welcoming spaces.
Crowne Plaza Belgrade features 416 rooms, two restaurants, lobby bar, an exhibition hall, a full service business centre, 12 meeting rooms and a fitness and spa centre with the largest hotel swimming pool in Serbia.
Located in the business district of Belgrade, the hotel is a five minute drive from Belgrade's city centre and a 15 minute drive from Nikola Tesla International Airport.
Sofitel opens a new hotel in Bali
Sofitel continues to expand its network across Asia with the launch of a new Indonesian property, the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort.
The hotel has 415 guestrooms, including 17 private villas, 22 Prestige Suites and 376 Luxury Rooms, decorated by internationally acclaimed interior designers, Wilson Associates. All guestrooms feature the brand's signature MyBed, plush amenities and high tech fittings including complimentary broadband internet access. The resort offers an eclectic set of dining options with three restaurants, two bars and a club lounge.
Inspired by a ‘food market' dining concept KWEE ZEEN serves a Pan Asian menu, CCC (Cut Catch Cucina) offers steakhouse, Italian Osteria and fresh Sea Grill, while l'Artisan serves classic Indonesian favorites including satay grills.
Guests can choose from LE BAR, the OH Pool Bar and the CLUB N5 Beach Club Lounge, all with distinctive views. In this oasis of wellbeing, guests can rejuvenate in style, relax and chill beside the gorgeous beachfront pool, get active at the SoFIT state-of-the-art fitness centre, or revitalize at the SoSPA. Sofitel Bali Kids Club is packed with fun facilities and adventures. The hotel offers Sofitel's hallmark InspiredMeetings concept with the latest conference technology and some of the largest meetings facilities in Bali, with a Grand Ballroom that can accommodate up to 600 people.
New Trump Hotel coming to Rio de Janeiro
Trump Hotel Collections and LSH Barra S.A. announced the development of Trump Hotel Rio de Janeiro. Located in the posh Jardim Oceanico sub-district of the famous Barra da Tijuca borough and facing one of Rio's most magnificent beaches, the 13-story, 171-guestroom Trump Rio will be TRUMP HOTEL COLLECTION's first property in South America and the only luxury hotel in the neighborhood when it opens in 2016.
Rio de Janeiro-based owner LSH Barra S.A. brings vital local expertise to the project, along with development consultant Polaris Brazil that has worked on a variety of hospitality ventures including the Rio Convention Center.
TRUMP HOTEL COLLECTION and LSH Barra S.A. have partnered with the world's premier design firms to create Trump Rio, including a cutting-edge architectural concept by WATG, interiors by Rockwell Group, and landscape architecture by Witkin-Hults Design Group.
Expansive guestrooms will boast breathtaking ocean or mountain views, each featuring grey marble floors that adjoin private outdoor balconies and terraces. Eleven spacious suites, ranging from 1,200 to 1,800 square feet, will feature private plunge pools on expansive private patios, from which ocean views can be soaked in. The capacious Presidential Suite will offer 2,992 square feet of luxury living.
Trump Rio will offer nearly 10,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Luxury amenities will include a 4,000 square-foot pool deck – with private VIP cabanas overlooking an infinity pool with panoramic beachfront views – a 4,000 square-foot nightclub, 2,200 square-foot spa, and a 2,000-square-foot fitness center. As with all TRUMP HOTEL COLLECTION properties, guests will have access to an exclusive range of services and signature programs, including Trump Attache, an brand of personalized service, TRUMP CARD, a privileges program and fitness and nutrition amenities within Trump Wellness.
TRUMP HOTEL COLLECTION opened its first Latin American property, Trump Ocean Club International Hotel & Tower Panama, in 2011, and developments are currently underway in Vancouver and Washington, D.C.
Hokulani Waikiki by Hilton Grand Vacations Club marks official debut at Waikiki Beach Walk
Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) recognized the official debut of its newest resort, Hokulani Waikiki by Hilton Grand Vacations Club. The contemporary, urban timeshare property is centrally located in the hub of Waikiki on famous Kalakaua Avenue.
Architectural firm Group 70 International of Honolulu was commissioned for the complete overhaul of the resort's previous footprint, the former OHANA Islander Waikiki Hotel, which began in 2012. Los Angeles-based Indidesign was selected for the interior design which incorporates the use of natural and native materials, finishes and textures to capture the essence of Hawaii's culture and environment.
The 14-story property includes 143 one-bedroom suites. Each unit ranges from 545 to 575 square feet and includes a boutique kitchen with a two-burner cook top, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, and Tassimo espresso maker. Slide-out shelving houses appliances and glassware. The living area features a sleeper sofa, coffee table, dining area, and an integrated TV and gaming entertainment system. The spacious bathroom has both a soaker tub and separate shower room, washlet with bidet functionality and a LCD screen set integrated within the vanity mirror. Every unit also has a private Juliet balcony with either a city or skyline view.
Owners and guests can also access the exclusive Nā Lani ("heavens" or "the sky" in Hawaiian) Sky Lounge – Waikiki's only open-air rooftop pool bar featuring dynamic urban views of bustling Kalakaua Avenue, the Koolau mountain range, Diamond Head, and the Pacific Ocean. Owners and guests can enjoy poolside cocktails or reserve one of six private cabanas outfitted with a flat screen TV, beverage refrigerator and comfortable seating. In addition to a plunge pool, there is also a hot tub and outdoor rain showers.
The Nā Moku Café adjoins to the lobby, which transforms from a morning breakfast café to an evening bar and social scene, providing ample indoor and al fresco seating. Other amenities include a "Stay Fit" fitness center, a Business Center, a laundry room on each floor, and valet parking.
HGV also operates three resorts on Hawaii Island: Kings' Land by Hilton Grand Vacations Club, Kohala Suites by Hilton Grand Vacations Club, and The Bay Club at Waikoloa Beach Resort.
Fibra Inn to acquire Hotel Aloft Guadalajara Las Americas, a Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide brand
Deutsche Bank Mexico announced that it has signed a binding agreement for the acquisition of the Hotel Aloft Guadalajara Las Américas in the State of Jalisco. The hotel will be the third property in Guadalajara and the twenty-third in Fibra Inn's total portfolio, including properties under development.
The operation of this hotel will be managed by Starwood, which has more than 17 hotels in operation in Mexico, in addition to other franchisees, operated by third parties.
It is the second Aloft hotel in Mexico; the first is in Cancun. The hotel Aloft Guadalajara Las Américas, which opened this week, has 142 rooms.
With this acquisition, Fibra Inn has a portfolio of 21 hotels in operation, plus two under development, with a total of 4,118 rooms, of which 664 are under construction.
Red Carnation Hotels acquires second hotel in Ireland following recent addition of Ashford Castle
Red Carnation Hotels has announced a second Irish hotel in its growing portfolio – Lisloughrey Lodge, County Mayo. The property sits within the 350 acre estate of Ashford Castle, which was acquired by the luxury boutique hotel collection in June last year and is currently undergoing a renovation programme to reinforce its position as one of Ireland's most luxurious destination hotel.
The hotel will be rebranded as The Lodge at Ashford Castle and will complement its sister hotel, providing a nearby alternative to the castle, while enabling guests to enjoy the benefits and facilities of the castle's sprawling estate. Activities available include fishing, golf, falconry, clay pigeon shooting and horseriding, as well as the numerous watersports on Ireland's largest lake, Lough Corrib, which the properties overlook.
Red Carnation Hotels is an collection of five and four-star hotels spearheaded by President and Founder Mrs Beatrice Tollman, who will personally oversee the implementation of the collection's standards of service, comfort and attention to detail at The Lodge at Ashford Castle.
Already extremely popular with the weddings market, the four-star Lodge at Ashford Castle is expected to attract a younger audience than its "Grand Dame" neighbour. Red Carnation Hotels is a member of The Travel Corporation, whose portfolio of international travel and tourism companies also includes a number of guided and escorted holiday operators including Trafalgar, Brendan Vacations, Insight Vacations, and Grand European. With this expertise, The Lodge at Ashford Castle will also specialise in welcoming guests from these upmarket touring brands.
GF Management affiliate acquires Embassy Suites Orlando – Lake Buena Vista
GF Management announced that its affiliate, ESLBV Property Owner LLC, has acquired the 334-room Embassy Suites Orlando-Lake Buena Vista located at 8100 Lake St, Orlando, Florida. The hotel will maintain its affiliation with the Embassy Suites brand and will be undertaking a renovation in excess of $13 million which will take place over the next 12 months.
The acquisition of the Embassy Suites Orlando-Lake Buena Vista is the second Hilton branded acquisition this year for GF Management, finishing the Company's 25th anniversary year.
The Grand Belize Entertainment Group announces plans for casino resort and online casino
The Grand Belize Entertainment Group has announced plans to build a world-class casino resort and spa paired with an online casino, a concept slated to be the very first of its kind by integrating an online entity within the design of a casino resort.
Michael Glauser, chief operating officer of The Grand Belize Entertainment Group, said, "we are excited to be on the forefront of this innovative concept in gaming. As one of only four licensed casinos to Belize, the launch of the online casino will attract gaming aficionados around the globe while promoting our world-class property in Belize, even before it opens."
According to Glauser, Peak Gaming Group will support the development, launch, and management of the online casino, which is scheduled to launch worldwide second quarter 2014. Blue Sky Advisory Group has been selected to assist in the development and manage the day-to-day operation of the casino resort and spa.
Initial plans call for the resort casino to encompass nearly 315,000 square feet, with approximately 700 slot machines and 20 to 25 gaming tables. In addition to the casino, there will be private gaming areas as well as mobile gaming applications available throughout the property's restaurant and lounges. In an effort to provide players an all-encompassing entertainment experience, guests in the online casino as well as in the casino resort will be able to earn and redeem promotional offers in either space.
Designed by architectural firm Westar in tandem with International Environments, the resort hotel will encompass up to 200 guest rooms and suites. The architecture and quality of construction will reflect its place as the finest overnight destination in Belize. The resort will include a spa in addition to a pool deck complete with family-friendly water features.
Another key component of the project will be the development of a 40,000 square-foot duty free retail offering that will include upscale retail shops by many of the world's leading designers.
Groundbreaking for the property is scheduled 2014 with a grand opening planned for 2015.
