- Iconic W brand enters Japan as W Osaka aims to redefine city's hotel scene
- Rio Las Vegas to reposition as multiple Hyatt full-service hotel offerings
- Marriott brings its Residence Inn long stay brand to the UAE
- IHG to bring another new property to Nepal with latest Holiday Inn Express signing
- Data metrics - latest performance insights from STR
- News briefs - bitesize updates of latest industry news and developments
Iconic W brand enters Japan as W Osaka aims to redefine city's hotel scene
W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott's portfolio of 30 brands, has lifted the curtains on Japan's first-ever W hotel. Making its debut along vibrant Midosuji Boulevard, W Osaka will "redefine the local hotel scene," according to Marriott with the brand's spirited spin on luxury a notable addition to the city. Osaka's mix of "culture and bold, high-energy lifestyle" makes it "the ideal setting for the debut of W Hotels in Japan," says Rajeev Menon, president, Asia Pacific (excluding China) for Marriott International. Guests arrive via an illuminated tunnel inspired by the Japanese art forms of cutting and folding paper, origami and kirigami, with images of nature and seasons reflected on its walls. On the third floor, the hotel's social hub LIVING ROOM (W's signature take on the lobby) greets guests with vivid colours and a design featuring an original interpretation of whimsical Kawaii Kokeshi wooden dolls which celebrate the diversity of W Osaka's international guests. Meanwhile, to represent Japan's famous pink cherry blossoms and Osaka's azure oceanside, color themes and neon light accents shine either pink or blue on each alternate floor. In the 337 guestrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows frame stunning views of the skyline, while locked away behind the closets is a unique "pixorama" of Osaka, a graphic filled with the city's famous landmarks.
Rio Las Vegas to reposition as multiple Hyatt full-service hotel offerings
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has confirmed an affiliate has entered into franchise agreements with an affiliate of Dreamscape Companies, which will lead the renovation of the Rio Las Vegas. The multi-phase project is expected to bring multiple Hyatt full-service offerings to Las Vegas, one of the most visited leisure, group, and convention markets in the world, through the renovation and reflagging of the property. The more than 2,510-room Rio Las Vegas will be renovated and rebranded into multiple Hyatt full-service brand flags, and will undergo a redevelopment of the current public spaces, including gaming, retail, food and beverage, spa and fitness, and pool recreation deck. In addition, the Rio Las Vegas will undergo a renovation of one of the hotel's existing towers, and upon completion, the tower is expected to become a 1,501-room Hyatt Regency hotel with standard guestrooms averaging 580 square feet. The remainder of the Rio's guestrooms are expected to be branded or affiliated with one or more other Hyatt full-service brands after they are renovated.
Marriott brings its Residence Inn long stay brand to the UAE
Marriott is celebrating the debut of the longer stay Residence Inn brand in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the opening of Residence Inn by Marriott Al Jaddaf. Located in a prime city district and boasting spectacular views of the Burj Khalifa, the property offers convenient access to key areas including Downtown Dubai and Business Bay. Featuring 134 modern residential suites, many of which boast private terraces and impressive views, Residence Inn by Marriott Al Jaddaf aims to offer travellers a 'home-away-from-home' experience. The studios, one and two-bedroom suites, and three-bedroom duplex suites, all have full kitchens, large bathrooms, sleeping areas, and separate living and working spaces.
IHG to bring another new property to Nepal with latest Holiday Inn Express signing
IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with Swornim Hotel Pokhara Private Limited to develop a new Holiday Inn Express hotel - Holiday Inn Express Pokhra Lakeside, in Nepal. The new-build hotel will feature 110 keys and will be operational by the first quarter of 2025. IHG currently has four hotels already under development across the Holiday Inn brand family in Nepal and this latest signing will further strengthen the company's mainstream portfolio in the tourism capital of the country. Strategically located close to the city's main tourist hub, 'Lakeside' and with proximity to commercial establishments, the hotel will be an ideal destination for both leisure and corporate travellers, around 6 km from the upcoming International Airport of Pokhara and 2.5 km distance from the domestic airport.
Data metrics - latest performance insights from STR
- As of late Feb-2020, occupancy on the books for properties in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) was trailing slightly behind 2020 levels in the metric. For Mar-2021 and Apr-2021, occupancy on the books for the market was between 10-20%, and beyond those months, the metric stays below 10% with only occasional lifts. However, the market has started 2021 strongly, with Jan-2021 performance much closer to pre-pandemic levels with occupancy at 65.9%, ADR at AED588.51 and RevPAR at AED388.12.
- On a market level, the United States of America hotel industry witnessed a slight increase in the percentage of markets in the recovery category and a reduction among those considered in depression up to the week ending 13-Mar-2021. Of 166 STR-defined markets, 101 saw positive movement in their 28-day RevPAR average when indexed to 2019. San Francisco continued to show the lowest index, whereas the Florida Keys posted the highest. On a hotel-level basis, larger urban hotels are the most likely to be in depression while those that are in small markets are seen to have a higher likelihood of reaching peak RevPAR versus 2019 performance.
News briefs - bitesize updates of latest industry news and developments
- The 137-room Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Downtown has opened, operated by Shaner Hotels on behalf of its owner Prime Hospitality Group. Located at 721 North Federal Highway, the nine-storey hotel is situated in the Flagler Village portion of the Quantum Lifestyle Center, home to multiple, new luxury rental buildings and several residential condominiums and townhouses.
- The new Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District, a joint venture between Rockbridge and HRI Properties is on track to open in summer 2021. Managed by HRI Lodging, LLC, the 214-room property will feature guestrooms with sweeping city views, a ground-level bar and lounge, a breakfast room, an expansive rooftop deck and close to 3,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting and event space. Located in central Austin, the property is within walking distance of a number of key sites, including the state capitol and the University of Texas Austin.
- The dual-branded Hyatt Place North Scottsdale and Hyatt House North Scottsdale have opened in the heart of North Scottsdale, in close proximity to Mayo Clinic Hospital, a highly sought-after medical facility. The Hyatt Place North Scottsdale features 136 rooms with separate spaces to sleep, work and play, as well as the brand's Cozy Corner sofa-sleeper, while the Hyatt House North Scottsdale incorporates 93 rooms (studio and one-bedroom suites), featuring fully equipped kitchenettes.
- Marriott International has announced a major milestone in its portfolio of independent hotel brands, with the opening of the 200th Autograph Collection hotel, the 50th Tribute Portfolio hotel, and the anticipated opening of the 120th Luxury Collection hotel. Together, all three Collection brands are expected to expand their global footprint to nearly 70 new locations in 2021, including 24 new market entries.
- Urgo Hotels & Resorts has assumed management of the newly opened, 202-room Moxy Miami South Beach. Developed and owned by Lightstone, one of the largest and most diversified privately-held real estate companies in the US, the new-build hotel marks the brand's first resort-style property in the world. The eight-storey hotel is located in South Beach's newly revitalised "Art Deco Historic District" in the heart of the retail, restaurant and entertainment corridor.
- Palladium Hotel Group has confirmed the planned opening of Grand Palladium Sicilia Resort & Spa and Grand Palladium Garden Beach Resort & Spa, two new luxury resorts located on the Italian island of Sicily. The two properties sit on the beachfront in the town of Campofelice di Roccella, close to Palermo and offer a total of 469 rooms and suites. They are due to open their doors to guests from 28-May-2021.
- PROVision Partners, a marketing, technology, and commercial services advisory firm to the travel and hospitality industry and public relations and marketing agency Plan A PR & Marketing have formalised a merger. The combined firm will offer a full spectrum of marketing, PR and high-growth strategies to clients in the B2B hospitality sector.
- Travel Designer Group has entered into a direct dynamic distribution agreement with Hilton to distribute Hilton's global hotel inventory in its B2B hotel reservation platform Rezlive.com. The agreement will allow Rezlive.com to access real time availability and prices of Hilton's hotel inventories, which comprises over 6,400 properties under 18 brands across 119 countries and over one million rooms worldwide.