Albergo Hospitality Advisors

06/03/2016

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hotels/12074830/This-years-new-hotel-openings-2016.html?frame=3537890

We have an exciting year ahead in hotel land. Two Paris palaces, three 'poshtels', a new Aman, another Ace Hotel and huge openings in New York and London mean you'll be spoiled for new places to stay

06/03/2016

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Hyatt’s new Unbound Collection not limited to hotels
03 MARCH 2016 10:01 AM
The goal of the new soft brand collection from Hyatt Hotels Corporation is about giving guests unique, high-end experiences that extend beyond hotels.
The Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas, is one of the first hotels to join Hyatt Hotels Corporation’s new soft brand, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. (Photo: Hyatt Hotels & Resorts)
By Bryan Wroten
[email protected]

CHICAGO—When evaluating the world of soft brand collections, officials with Hyatt Hotels Corporation said they didn’t want just another collection of hotels. Rather, they wanted a collection of stays.

Maryam Banikarim, global CMO for Hyatt, said the newly announced Unbound Collection by Hyatt comes from the recognition of consumer demand for more experiences. Guests want experiences more than they want things, she said.

But in creating the new soft brand, Banikarim said, the company wanted to look beyond having a hotels-only collection. There’s more that can go into Unbound than hotels, she said, such as a river cruise down the Nile.

“We don’t want to be limited,” she said. “It’s broad what you can put in there.”

Developing the collection
To start, Hyatt has named the first four hotels that will be in the collection: The Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas; the Hôtel du Louvre in Paris; the Carmelo Resort & Spa in Carmelo, Uruguay; and the Coco Palms Resort in Kauai, Hawaii.

The Hôtel du Louvre is one of the oldest hotels in Paris, Banikarim said. The Coco Palms Resort was the location of one of Elvis Presley’s films, and The Driskill Hotel is reportedly haunted.

“These historical stories and modern-day stories—they’re the sort of thing we’re interested in,” she said.

Though Banikarim could not comment on how many more properties are in the brand’s pipeline at this point, she did say Hyatt is in talks with a number of independent properties in Europe. The collection will have a mix of existing properties and new builds.

The Unbound Collection is a growth opportunity for Hyatt, Banikarim said, but the move isn’t just a growth play. At the same time, the company isn’t taking the route of only iconic hotels, she said.

“We wanted somewhere in between,” she said.

Curating guest experiences
Banikarim said the company developed the concept behind the collection by thinking about how consumer behavior is changing.

After conducting a global segmentation study, Hyatt found the same person travels differently based on the occasion, such as leisure, guided and business trips. That means there’s a need for people to have interesting experiences, Banikarim said, and this collection creates a flexible model for opportunities beyond hotels, citing the aforementioned river cruise.

When choosing which hotel properties to include in the collection, Banikarim said Hyatt considered the social currency that would come with the properties. People love to share their travel experiences on social sites, which creates that social currency and word-of-mouth support, she said.

“We wanted to leverage this notion of social currency,” she said. “We want to partner with hotels (that) could generate word of mouth.”

Banikarim said the hotels included in the collection will be 4- to 5-star properties in the upper-upscale and luxury segments.

06/03/2016

Holiday Inn Resort Ixtapa Hotel Opens in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico
March, 3 2016Holiday Inn
Holiday Inn Resort Ixtapa Hotel

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced the rebranding of the Holiday Inn Resort Ixtapa hotel in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico. The newly-renovated 431-room all-inclusive property is the third Holiday Inn Resort location in Mexico, joining the Holiday Inn Resort Acapulco hotel and the Holiday Inn Resort Los Caboshotel.

Gerardo Murray, Regional Vice President, Digital, Loyalty & Partner Marketing, Mexico, Latin America and The Caribbean, IHG said: "We are delighted that the hotel's owner, Grupo Presidente, has chosen the Holiday Inn Resort brand for this magnificent hotel. With locations around the world, the Holiday Inn brand plays an important role in the journeys of guests wherever they travel – from the boardroom to the beach. As part of that iconic brand family, the Holiday Inn Resort Ixtapa hotel provides the warm hospitality our guests expect and helps them create lasting memories on unforgettable vacations."

Located on Blvd. Paseo Ixtapa, the Holiday Inn Resort Ixtapa hotel is owned and managed by Grupo Presidente®. The hotel provides ocean-view guestrooms, nine on-site restaurants and a range of fun activities for all ages, including beach volleyball and soccer, water polo, water aerobics and dance lessons. Additional amenities include tennis courts, a heated outdoor swimming pool and a fully-equipped 24-hour fitness center with sauna and massage service. For meetings, weddings and social events, the hotel's event space can accommodate up to 400 people.

Whether enjoying a stroll along the beach during sunset or sports and water activities such as fishing, water skiing, scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, horseback riding and paragliding, Ixtapa is a fantastic destination for travelers searching for the perfect mix of relaxation and natural beauty. Ixtapa also has a variety of restaurants serving a wide selection of international and local cuisine.

06/03/2016

Hotel Development Iceland
Reykjavik Consulate Hotel and Iceland Parliament Hotel to Join Curio Collection
March, 1 2016Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) has reached an agreement with longstanding partner Icelandair Hotels to bring Curio - A Collection by Hilton to Reykjavik with two new city center hotels.
Reykjavik Consulate Hotel

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) has reached an agreement with longstanding partner Icelandair Hotels to bring Curio - A Collection by Hilton to Reykjavik with two new city center hotels.

Reykjavik Consulate Hotel and Iceland Parliament Hotel will be the latest hotels developed in collaboration with Icelandair Hotels - a wholly owned subsidiary of Icelandair Group. The hotels will join Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, which opened in 2007, and the world’s first Canopy by Hilton, currently under construction in downtown Reykjavik, and due to open in Summer 2016.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, EMEA, Hilton Worldwide said:
“Icelandair has been instrumental in showcasing Iceland as an upscale leisure destination, supporting a 25% growth in tourism over the past 12 months, and welcoming more than 1.3 million visitors in 2015. In joining Curio – A Collection by Hilton, the hotels will appeal to visitors seeking local experiences and Icelandic hospitality, while also benefitting from Hilton’s superior commercial engine and global distribution. These hotels build on Curio’s early success in Europe, bringing impressive heritage properties for the modern traveller to the brand’s growing footprint in the region.”

Magnea Thorey Hjálmarsdóttir, managing director, Icelandair Hotels said:
“We’re proud to showcase Iceland’s beauty to international guests, and these two properties support our ambitions to provide sophisticated accommodation in Reykjavik. In introducing Curio to our established portfolio, we will bring a new style of premium hospitality to this legendary part of Reykjavik.”

Reykjavik Consulate Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton

Reykjavik Consulate Hotel will join luxury and upscale Curio properties in cities around the world, including the recently opened Reichshof Hamburg, and properties under development in London, Paris, Dubai and Istanbul. Situated meters from the Harpa Conference and Concert Hall, the hotel is expected to welcome its first guests in 2018.

Consistent with the capital’s eclectic architecture, the development will restore a number of traditional properties and reflect the Icelandic aesthetic. Amongst these is the building which housed Thomsens Magasin – Reykjavik’s first department store. Detlev Thomsen was the German consul for Iceland and in welcoming the first foreign dignitaries in the 19th Century, established a lasting legacy of international hospitality on the island.

With 50 guest rooms, the hotel’s interiors draw influence from Reykjavik’s heritage, with natural building materials used throughout. The hotel’s spa will incorporate an original 19th century stone wall, and its interior reflects the tradition of natural bathing in Icelandic culture.

Award-winning restaurateur and Icelandair Hotel’s Executive Chef, Stefan Vidarsson, will oversee the restaurant and bar concepts at both hotels, serving authentic Nordic cuisine and the highest quality ingredients.

Iceland Parliament Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton

Directly opposite Reykjavik’s parliament building and the city’s main square, which plays host to public celebrations throughout the year, The Iceland Parliament Hotel will offer 160 stylish guest rooms and suites when it opens in 2018. The development plans also include provision for a museum on the ground floor, which will publically display Iceland’s long history of democracy.

Iceland Parliament Hotel’s elegant presidential suite on the top floor of the building will capture the imagination of distinguished luxury travellers, with 360 degree views of the harbour and Reykjavik, whilst the city center’s only luxury spa will provide a sanctuary for visitors and local residents alike. The hotel will complement the Reykjavik Consulate Hotel in providing a number of high-end catering and conference facilities.

Dianna Vaughan, global head, Curio – A Collection by Hilton said:
“These remarkable hotels, which will differ considerably in look and feel, celebrate the diversity of the Curio collection. Reykjavik’s vibrant cultural scene and stunning natural surroundings make it the perfect city destination for upscale travelers, and The Reykjavik Consulate Hotel and Iceland Parliament Hotel will be anticipated additions to our global portfolio of more than 80 properties open or in various stages of development.”

Reykjavik Consulate Hotel will be located on Hafnarstraeti, whilst Iceland Parliament Hotel will be located on Thorvaldsensstraeti.

06/03/2016

InterContinental Venice - Palazzo Nani Announced for 2018
March, 3 2016InterContinental

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the signing of its first InterContinental hotel in Venice - InterContinental Venice – Palazzo Nani. The hotel will operate under a franchise agreement with Cordifin Group and H.n.h Hotels & Resorts Management and open at the beginning of 2018.

The building will be converted from a stunning 16th century palace into an intimate 51-room InterContinental hotel. The palace's hand painted alfresco ceilings and hand-carved wooden beams will be restored to their original beauty to preserve the building's rich history. The hotel will feature a wellness centre, modern meeting facilities and Club InterContinental® Lounge.

Visited by more than 60,000 visitors a day, the city of Venice dates back to the 5th century and is famed for its matrix of canals connected by beautiful adorning bridges. InterContinental Venice – Palazzo Nani will lie on the Cannaregio Canal which connects to the Grand Canal at the epicentre of Venice's vibrant island. Guests will be able to wander Venice's narrow windy streets to observe the city's gothic architecture and renaissance art as well as visit its historical landmarks, including St. Mark's Square and its Basilica, Piazza San Marco, the Doge's Palace and the Rialto Bridge.

Robert Shepherd, Chief Development Officer, Europe, IHG said: "We're delighted to be partnering with Cordifin S.p.a to bring the first InterContinental hotel to Venice. It's great to see momentum behind the brand continuing as we get set to celebrate its 70th anniversary this year. InterContinental Venice – Palazzo Nani will be a great addition to the InterContinental family, offering guests an unforgettable experience in a city loved by millions around the world."

Luca Boccato, CEO of H.n.h. Hotels & Resorts Management and Cordifin Group representative said: "The InterContinental brand is the pinnacle of luxury and complements our existing portfolio perfectly. InterContinental Venice – Palazzo Nani is in a fantastic location and we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful building in this timeless city. We are looking forward to opening the doors of the hotel in 2017 and providing guests with exceptional service and an unforgettable Venetian experience."

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is IHG's iconic luxury brand with a long and successful heritage, going back 70 years when the first InterContinental was founded in 1946. IHG has also recently announced the signing of two InterContinental hotels in two other markets in Europe - InterContinental® Sofia, Bulgaria, and InterContinental® Ljubljana in Slovenia, both of which are firsts in their markets. With 184 InterContinental Hotels & Resorts open worldwide and more than 52 hotels in the global development pipeline, IHG continues to expand the brand's portfolio in the most sought-after destinations around the world*. There are currently 32* InterContinental Hotels & Resorts properties in Europe and 5 in the pipeline*.

06/03/2016

West Midlands Hoteliers Make a Bright Start to 2016
March, 4 2016HotStats
UK Chain Hotels Market Review - January 2016
Hotels in the West Midlands made a good start to 2016, recording a 1.5% increase in profit per room driven by revenue growth across all departments, including Rooms (+3.0%), Food & Beverage (+0.4%), Conference & Banqueting (+2.9%) and Leisure (+7.3%), according to the latest HotStats data.

The overall 1.8% increase in TrevPAR (Total Revenue per Available Room) was sufficient to offset increasing costs in both payroll (+3.0%) and overheads (+2.7%) on a per available room basis.

That said, despite the 1.5% year-on-year increase in GOPPAR (Gross Operating Profit per Available Room), profit conversion for West Midlands hotels fell slightly, by 0.1 percentage points, to 22.3% of total revenue for the month.

Performance Drops For Heathrow Hoteliers Despite Record Passenger Numbers

Hoteliers at Heathrow Airport suffered a 2.3% decline in RevPAR (Revenue per Available Room) this month, as a result of a 1.1 percentage point drop in occupancy and a 0.8% decrease in achieved average room rate. The decline in January was in contrast to the strong performance by Heathrow hoteliers in 2015, during which a 5.5% increase in RevPAR was recorded, which enabled GOPPAR growth of 8.7% for the year, to £34.10. But was also contrary to the 1.0% increase in passenger numbers handled by Heathrow Airport, to 5.5 million, a record for the month of January.

The best ever start to a year for Heathrow Airport was on the back of a record year in 2015, as 75 million passengers passed through the UK’s largest airport. The growth in January was attributed to improved travel to/from emerging markets, including Mexico (+21%) and China (+16%), as well as the introduction of new routes and new aircrafts.

Top line performance levels at Heathrow hotels are typically lowest in January, which leaves little margin for cost increases. Despite the best efforts of Heathrow hoteliers to reduce costs, recording a 6.7% saving in payroll and a 4.3% reduction in overheads on a per available room basis, the savings were not sufficient to offset the 4.2% decline in TrevPAR. And as a result, GOPPAR at Heathrow hotels dropped by 4.0% to £21.41 per available room for the month.

Nottingham Hotels Continue to Grow Profit into 2016

Further to the 8.5% increase in RevPAR and 7.8% growth in GOPPAR in 2015, hotels in Nottingham have continued to grow revenue and profit into January 2016, recording year-on- year growth in both key metrics.

Despite suffering a 0.3% decline in achieved average room rate, a 1.3% increase in RevPAR for the month of January was recorded due to a 0.9 percentage point uplift in room occupancy, to 59.8%. There have been no new additions of note to Nottingham hotel supply since the opening of the 202- bedroom De Vere Orchard Hotel in 2012, and the recovery in the economic profile of the city has enabled hoteliers to thrive, recording a 24.5 per cent increase in RevPAR to £44.66 in the 12 months to January 2016, from £35.86 in the 12 months to January 2013.

Nottingham hoteliers suffered through the economic downturn, but performance in the East Midlands city goes from strength to strength, which in 2015, was driven somewhat surprisingly by growth in demand from the leisure segment, enabling an increase in the achieved rate in the individual leisure (+7.3%) and group/tours (+13.2%) segments.

The strong top line performance has successfully flowed through to the bottom line, with hotels in Nottingham recording a GOPPAR of £24.00 in the 12 months to January 2016, compared to £17.67 in the 12 months to January 2013, a 35.8% uplift.



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06/03/2016

Each week, Hotel News Now features a news roundup from a different global region. Today’s compilation focuses on Middle East/Africa.

MEA year-end, December performance results
The end-year key performance indicators were down for hotels in the Middle East in 2015, while they were positive for African hoteliers, according to data from HNN’s parent company, STR.

Compared to 2014, occupancy dropped 2% in the Middle East to 67.4% while average daily rate fell 2.6% to $192.82 and revenue per available room fell 4.6% to $129.98.

In Africa, occupancy increased 0.2% to 57.3%, while ADR climbed 7.1% to $111.34 and RevPAR gained 7.3% to finish at $63.74.

Those regions followed the same patterns in December. In year-over-year comparisons for that month, occupancy fell 3.4% in the Middle East to 66.8%, while ADR fell 4.1% to $204.27 and RevPAR dropped 7.3% to $136.52.

African occupancy decreased by 1.2% for December to finish at 51.8%, ADR jumped 11.3% to $129.46, and RevPAR increased an even 10% to $67.13.

Gulf Cooperation Council hoteliers look to diversify
Developers in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries are considering investing in new markets, driven by instability with commodities, according to HNN’s Terence Baker’s coverage from the February Gulf and Indian Ocean Hotel Investors’ Summit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

“We need to spread our risk across different geographies,” said Salim Bitar, CEO of hospitality and real estate at Dubai-based Aujan Group Holding. “Yes, GCC economies are different, but mostly they are led by one commodity, which currently is going through a difficult time.”

Panelists said many companies face shareholder pressure to look for safer destinations for investment capital, but many believe opportunities remain in countries like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Steigenberger puts a vote of confidence in Egypt
While Egypt might not seem like the safest place for investment at the moment, Steigenberger Hotel Group has decided to double down on its plans to expand in the country, announcing the new Steigenberger Alcazar Resort in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh.

The 610-room property will follow another recent Egyptian development project for Steigenberger, as the 295-key Steigenberger Hotel Tahrir Square is set to open in Cairo in July.

A new day for tourism in Iran
Officials in Tehran, Iran, are looking to make the country more of a booming tourism destination as long-standing sanctions lift, and they might be doing so with an eye toward China, writes the Huffington Post.

Iranian officials say they hope to attract as much as 5% of China’s overseas tourists in an effort to boost Iran’s visitors from 4.5 million in 2013 to 10 million in 2019 and as many as 20 million by 2025, which would generate as much as $30 billion for the country.

Deals and development

Al Habtoor Group purchased the 138-room Hotel Imperial, a Luxury Collection Hotel from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide for $78.8 million.
The first Middle Eastern RIU Hotels & Resorts property will open in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2019 through a joint venture with RIU and Nakheel.
Swiss-Belhotel International announced plans for the 100-room Swiss-Belhotel Al Khobar. It is slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2016 and is owned by Mohamed Al Malki.
The 450-room Four Points by Sheraton Addis Ababa, Meskel Square is slated to open in the Ethiopian capital in early 2019. It will be Starwood’s second hotel in the country.
Rotana plans to open the 200-room Centro by Rotana in Kuwait in 2018.
The 179-room Radisson Blu Hotel, Sohar has opened in Sohar, Oman

07/03/2015

Abu Dhabi airline says its exclusive three-room suite was booked just hours after December A380 launch was announced

04/03/2015

http://www.malagahoy.es/article/provincia/1975821/una/promotora/madrilena/invertira/millones/proyecto/lujo.html

Una promotora madrileña invertirá 205 millones en un proyecto de lujo. . La empresa iKasa prevé construir 400 viviendas en una superficie de 126.000 metros cuadrados

09/02/2015

http://www.hvs.com/article/7226/in-focus-spain-the-tourism-sector-is-heading-the/?campaign=email&campaign-id=GHR-20150209-129

This article showcases the recent historical performance of the Spanish tourism industry and its leading role towards the recovery of the Spanish economy.

09/02/2015

http://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-insurer-to-buy-new-yorks-baccarat-hotel-at-record-valuation-1423237592

China’s Sunshine Insurance Group has agreed to acquire the Baccarat Hotel in midtown Manhattan for more than $2 million a room, a record valuation, according to people familiar with the matter.