- voco Hotels make its Italian debut in Milan
- Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Dalian, Hanoi, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap all part of Pan Pacific's property growth
- Hyatt Regency Cairo West debuts and brings Hyatt brand back to Egypt's capital
- Radisson Collection débuts in Spain with elegant Magdalena Plaza Sevilla offering
- Rosewood Residences Lido Key marks brand's first-ever stand-alone residential project
- Marriott International confirms debut for W Hotel brand in Tuscany
- Accor expands luxury footprint in sub-Saharan Africa with new Fairmont property in Djibouti
- The re-imagined Park Hyatt Toronto debuts following renovation
- Data metrics - latest performance insights from STR
- News briefs - bitesize updates of latest industry news and developments
voco Hotels make its Italian debut in Milan
IHG Hotels & Resorts has opened voco Milan - Fiere the first voco property in Italy. The hotel is a short distance from the capital's main airports, Linate and Malpensa, has good access to Milan city centre, and some of Milan's key business hubs including the Milano Innovation District (MIND), the Milan Exhibition Center and Milano Convention Centre (MiCo). It has 280 rooms and suites, each with a sleek and modern design embodying the voco's bold, contemporary, and charming brand style. The interior design plays on alternating shades of grey and blue, variations of the voco brand colours, combined with bright and warm pops of yellow, through decorative elements such as soft furnishings to give voco its distinct identity. For those looking for a wide variety of meeting and events spaces, voco Milan-Fiere has its own onsite Congress Centre that includes seven modular meeting spaces. With the ability to host up to 630 people, the centre has a grand foyer and an 812-square metre terrace for outdoor events.
Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Dalian, Hanoi, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap all part of Pan Pacific's property growth
Pan Pacific Hotels Group has revealed plans to grow its global pipeline with 13 new properties across 10 key gateway cities planned to open by 2024. More than 3,300 rooms will be added to the Group's inventory, bringing its portfolio to 48 hotels, resorts, and serviced suites across 29 cities. This move sees the Group establish its presence in key gateway cities, including London, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Dalian, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap. The expansion follows the recent openings of ParkRoyal Monash Melbourne in Apr-2021 and Pan Pacific London in Sep-2021. The new arrivals will include the ParkRoyal Collection Kuala Lumpur and Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur, slated to open in Jun-2022 in the heart of Bukit Bintang; the 301-room ParkRoyal Langkawi Resort, the 418-room ParkRoyal A'Famosa Melaka Resort in Malaysia. In Indonesia new arrivals comprise the ParkRoyal Jakarta, ParkRoyal Serviced Suites Jakarta and Pan Pacific Jakarta. Thrusting forward with the sustainability agenda, Pan Pacific will open the 350-room, zero-waste hotel, Pan Pacific Orchard in Singapore in the fourth quarter of 2022, while the ParkRoyal Dalian, Pan Pacific Phnom Penh, ParkRoyal Siem Reap, ParkRoyal Serviced Suites Hanoi and ParkRoyal Suites Bangkok complete the list.
Hyatt Regency Cairo West debuts and brings Hyatt brand back to Egypt's capital
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has confirmed the opening of the Hyatt Regency Cairo West. The 250-room hotel marks Hyatt's return to Cairo and strengthens its growing brand footprint in North Africa. As part of the Hyatt Regency brand, the hotel is designed with productivity in mind to deliver seamless experiences and an energising hub for both business and leisure travellers alike. The new property is located within the well-established Pyramid Heights Business Park. Its closeness to business hubs, mega malls, and some of Egypt's top tourist attractions such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum will likely make it a popular destination for meetings, events, and travellers. The guestroom offer includes 26 suites and for the first time in Cairo the introduction of Spa Rooms that offer in-room massage and amenities such as an in-room hot tub, a sauna and a massage table. The interior of each room is inspired by Egyptian culture with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the Pyramids of Giza or the hotel's pool and gardens.
Radisson Collection débuts in Spain with elegant Magdalena Plaza Sevilla offering
Set on a palm-tree lined, pedestrian square, the Radisson Collection Hotel, Magdalena Plaza Sevilla has opened its doors marking Radisson Hotel Group's first Radisson Collection hotel in the country. Located in the heart of Seville and on the doorstep of royal palaces, theatres and museums, the five-star hotel proudly presents innovative Spanish cuisine by Michelin star chef Eneko Atxa and chef Manuel Berganza. The hotel's design draws inspiration from the city's history and mix of architectural styles throughout its guest rooms, restaurants and rooftop bar and pool. The property houses 89 rooms, including five suites - two of them being penthouse suites with private spacious terraces and spectacular views - a pool, solarium, gym and two exclusive restaurants. The rooms and suites are designed to be "restful and stylish" and developed with a refined palette of bronze fittings, translucent glass, marble and parquet floors all accented by soft blue furnishings. On the walls, black and white photographs of Seville have been curated to celebrate the architecture and urban life of the city.
Rosewood Residences Lido Key marks brand's first-ever stand-alone residential project
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has revealed Rosewood Residences Lido Key, the brand's first stand-alone residential project spearheaded by luxury real estate developer, The Ronto Group and real estate investment firm, Wheelock Street Capital. Situated off the coast of Sarasota, Florida, just a short walk from St Armands circle, the 65-unit condominium will be completed in 2025, with sales reservations set to launch in Dec-2021. A long-term goal for the Rosewood brand, the inaugural independent Rosewood Residences project speaks to an increased demand for "enriched living that combines the amenities, facilities and services of an ultra-luxury resort with the intimacy and comfort of a private home," says the company. Designed for both short- and long-term stays, the for-sale residences span from one-of-a-kind stand-alone villas to for-rent serviced apartments. Rosewood Residences Lido Key will occupy 3.5 prime acres of beachfront real estate offering Gulf of Mexico views. Each of the 65 residences, which will average approximately 4,200 square feet in size, will be designed in accordance with Rosewood's guiding 'A Sense of Place' philosophy, wherein the sensibilities of the locale inspire the distinctive style and programming provided at each respective Rosewood destination.
Marriott International confirms debut for W Hotel brand in Tuscany
Marriott International has signed an agreement with Progetto Majestic to bring the W Hotels Worldwide brand to the iconic Tuscan city of Florence. Expected to welcome its first guests in 2023, W Florence is set to become a buzzing centrepiece in the heart of the artistic city alongside the Ponte Vecchio riverfront and the Duomo. Located steps from Florence's world-renowned art, thriving dining scene and celebrated shopping destination Via de'Tornabuoni, the property will be well-situated to offer guests the very best of the city at their doorstep. The hotel is expected to feature 120 guestrooms, including 20 suites. The Extreme WOW Suite, W's take on the Presidential Suite, will offer a large living space and private terrace with stunning views across the Duomo and the Santa Maria Novella church. Adding rare and much-sought-after inside and outside living spaces, the ground floor, which will house the W Lounge and Living Room, will seamlessly blend around a central partially covered courtyard. Marriott International currently operates 14 properties and residences under the W brand across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The brand is expected to make its debut in Italy with the opening of W Rome this autumn.
Accor expands luxury footprint in sub-Saharan Africa with new Fairmont property in Djibouti
Accor is adding a new flagship property to its portfolio in Africa with the Fairmont Djibouti set to open in 2024. Located in Djibouti City, the capital of Djibouti and one of the country's most affluent areas, the property will be strategically located by the beach in Plateau Du Serpent offering its visitors convenient proximity to the port of Djibouti. It will feature 155 rooms and 10 serviced apartments, with five food and beverage outlets combined with almost 1,400 square metres of meetings & events facilities. Accor is partnering with Carnegie Hill Hospitality on the project, a company founded in 2018 which has positioned itself as a major player in the real estate sector in Djibouti. Within the government vision for 2035, tourism activity is a priority as Djibouti looks to attract 500,000 visitors by 2035.
The re-imagined Park Hyatt Toronto debuts following renovation
Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Oxford Properties have confirmed the highly anticipated return of the Park Hyatt Toronto hotel, long considered one of Toronto's most iconic addresses, following a renovation project. The re-imagined property combines luxury, sophistication, and glamour with a distinctive nod to Canadian heritage, art deco, and literature. The hotel collaborated with world-renowned designer Alessandro Munge of Studio Munge, who drew inspiration from Canada's striking seasons and natural landscapes to deliver the renovation. Rooted in celebrating the sophistication of the arts, the Park Hyatt Toronto now features a significant permanent art collection highlighting spectacular pieces from renowned Canadian and indigenous artists, while its 219 guestrooms - including 40 suites -balance residential comfort with contemporary design.
Data metrics - latest performance insights from STR
- Accommodation declines in Australia for the 2020-21 financial year were worse for capital markets than regional areas, according to STR's collection of national accommodation statistics through the Australian Accommodation Monitor, comprising performance data for accommodation providers, including hotels, motels, serviced apartments and holiday cabins. During the 2020-21 financial year (1-Jul-2020 to 30-Jun-2021), Australia recorded decreases in each of the three key performance metrics: occupancy (-17.4% to 49.6%), ADR (-5.1% to AUD171.77) and RevPAR (-21.5% to AUD85.15). Of the major markets, the two largest, Melbourne and Sydney, reported year-over-year RevPAR declines of 55.9% and 47.8%, respectively. The double-digit RevPAR declines were also felt by specific accommodation types, with hotels & resorts experiencing a -27.6% decline in the metric, while serviced apartments saw RevPAR fall -14.2% year over year. Holiday parks, on the other hand, posted a +30.8% increase in the metric.
- The Delta variant continues to disrupt the reopening of economies and the return of business travel in many parts of the world and, indeed, some countries are grappling with previously unseen levels of infections. This is evident in the United States of America (USA) where recent STR data shows that weekday demand, an indicator of business travel, is continuing to trend downward as the country enters the post-Labor Day period, when business travel traditionally picks up. The latest data from the company shows that more consumers are less likely to travel for business post-pandemic (39% in Jul-2021 compared with 28% in Feb-2021). However, one positive note is the increase in those who stated they are as likely to travel once the pandemic is over. "This shift is likely due to increased clarity regarding travel in general and clearer business travel policies for organisations compared with earlier in the year," says STR.
News briefs - bitesize updates of latest industry news and developments
- The US hotel industry is projected to end 2021 down more than USD59 billion in business travel revenue compared to 2019, according to a new report released by the American Hotel & Lodging Association and Kalibri Labs. That comes after losing nearly USD49 billion in business travel revenue in 2020. Hotels in the country are also expected to end 2021 down nearly 500,000 jobs compared to 2019.
- Officials of The Cornerstone Collective have announced the start of a multi-million-dollar renovation of the 158-room Courtyard by Marriott Salt River in Arizona. With a targeted completion date of autumn 2021, the renovation across all guest rooms and public spaces (lobby, bistro, breakfast area, bar, ballrooms and meeting space and fitness centre) includes many custom elements and enhances on brand standards by focusing on the hotel's location on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Owned by Ba'ag ceksan (Eagle Mark), the property is the first Marriott hotel built on tribal land in the US.
- Hawkeye Hotels has further expanded into the Northeast US region with the opening of the new Holiday Inn Erie, located south of downtown Erie, the company's second property in Pennsylvania. The property features 150 guest rooms, complete with functional work space, all designed with a modern, fresh and functional aesthetic in neutral tones and cool blue and green hues.
- Hotelbeds has announced a new partnership with Visit Finland to promote the destination to its extensive network of US travel advisors. Hotelbeds is launching a campaign to promote Finland as a safe destination to its extensive network of travel advisors and promote the Nordic country's wide range of tourist attractions including northern lights sightings, skiing activities, visits to Lapland to meet Santa Claus as well as its traditional saunas.
- The Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel has opened in the Hungarian capital Budapest with restaurants and bars to follow this autumn, the culmination of a five-year project to convert a neglected UNESCO World Heritage Site. The transformation was led by Maria Vafiadis, Founder & Managing Director of MKV Design, in collaboration with local architects, Péter Cajka and Puhl Antal.
- MKV completely re-configured the first floor upwards to create 111 guestrooms and 19 suites. The rooms are grand and elegant with four-metre high ceilings and large windows offering views of the city.
- The Meritage Collection has rolled out a sustainability programme across its six upscale hotel properties in California, Hawaii and Texas. With resorts located in Texas' Hill Country to the shores of Kauai, the collection is committed to preserving their naturally beautiful environments with sustainability initiatives and brand partnerships to ensure the hotels are leaving a positive impact on the planet.
- Nobu Hospitality, the global luxury lifestyle brand founded by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper, has launch a new interactive mobile app in partnership with Alliants, available to download on iOS and Android. With the world of Nobu at their fingertips, guests can explore and reserve the expanding global portfolio of restaurants and hotels, access exclusive benefits, and enjoy a contact-free guest journey.
- Radisson Hotel Group has confirmed the debut of Radisson Bhopal in the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. Situated in the heart of the city, the hotel is located within a 40-minute driving distance from Raja Bhoj International Airport and 10 minutes from Habibganj Railway Station. The hotel spans across 4,500 square metres and features 104 rooms and suites, comprising Superior Room, Executive Room, Junior Suite, Deluxe Suite and Executive Suite.
- Six Senses is to add a second branded property in the Maldives -Kanuhura- on the private island hideaway of Lhaviyani Atoll. Encompassing three private islands - two deserted neighbouring islands and Kanuhura itself - this laid-back retreat is the epitome of white sands, turquoise lagoons, lush tropical greenery and gently swaying palm trees to doze under. This second collaboration with Singapore-based Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) will adopt the Six Senses brand in late 2022 as a northerly sister to the popular Six Senses Laamu offering 80 private overwater, beach and spacious family villas.
- Viva Wyndham Resorts has confirmed that after extensive renovations, the reopening of Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace will take place at the start of Oct-2021. The all-inclusive resort located in La Romana, Dominican Republic, which is renowned for its secluded pristine beaches and turquoise waters. Renovations include new décor and furniture featured in the hotel lobby, while the resort's shopping centre, the Pueblito, has new décor, along with a new American-inspired coffee shop.
- Expedia Group has announced its vacation rental brand Vrbo has launched its Fast Start programme in the UK in a bid to attract hosts from other vacation rental companies such as Airbnb. The new programme allows property owners to transfer their ratings or Superhost status across from other travel sites; increasing the visibility of new 4.5* hosts and Superhost properties in the first 90 days to help them generate an average of a 25% increase in bookings and 140% in the booking value. The programme was launched in the US earlier this year and has now also be extended to Canada and France.