Moschino to open hotel
Fashion label Moschino is the latest designer brand to open a hotel. It plans to open the property in Citta della Moda in Milan during 2008. If successful the company will look to open more hotels in other cities. Moschino is part of the Aeffe fashion group alonf with Jean Paul Gaultier, Alberta Ferretti and Narcisco Rodriguez. Other designer branded hotels include Versace, Armani and Missoni.
Wyndham signs franchise deal for 10 Ramada hotels in India
Wyndham Hotel Group has signed a franchise agreement with Bangalore based Royal Orchid Hotels. The deal will see Royal Orchid develop 10 Ramada hotels across India, totalling at least a 1,000 rooms. Royal Orchid will invest $100m (£51m) building the four-star properties during the next three to five years. The Wyndham Hotel Group was advised by law firm Field Fisher Waterhouse.
Conrad takes on Thai spa resort
Hilton Hotels Corporation (HHC) is to manage Thailand’s newest luxury resort and spa, due to open in 2008. HHC will run the Conrad Koh Samui Resort and Spa; built by Thailand-based developer, Hillcrest Development. The resort will consist of 79 villas and 39 residential villas overlooking Aow Thai beach, and will combine fine-dining restaurants with spacious villas and unique international treatments. HHC is also extending its Waldorf Astoria collection to Saudi Arabia. The Qasr Al Sharq, or "Palace of the Orient" opened in June and will be the first international property in the prestigious collection. The 46-suite palace hotel in Jeddah provides the largest suites in the region together with a personal butler service.
New Sheraton in Ningbo
The Sheraton Ningbo Hotel has become the first luxury hotel to open in the port-town of the Chinese Zhejiang Province. The Sheraton replaces the Portman Plaza Ningbo Hotel within the fast-developing city, which will soon be connected by Hangzhou bridge to Shanghai. Designed by John Portman & Associates, the hotel features a glass pyramid roof, 380 guestrooms and five distinctive restaurants. Guests can benefit from the hotel’s Zenses Spa as well as conference rooms, Wi-Fi and up-to-date IT facilities.
Ritz-Carlton lands hotel veterans
The Ritz-Carlton hotel group has teamed together two hotel veterans to manage its New York hotel in Battery Park. Rick Evanich has been named general manager of property, while David Chase will take over as manager. Evenich brings 20 years experience to the role, and helped The Ritz-Carlton, Central Park to achieve the prestigious AAA Five-Diamond Award. Chase was formerly area director of catering and conference services at The Ritz-Carlton Hotels of New York.