New Hotel Group launches in New Zealand... and other International hotel news

New Hotel Group launches in New Zealand
New-Zealand property company Melview Developments has announced the launch of its new Quadrant Hotel group. The first property, The Quadrant in Aukland, officially opened this week. It comprises 250 studio, one and two-bedroom apartments and will feature the Quad Kitchen, due to open later this month. The Quad bar will follow in September. Construction of its second property, The Quadrant – Queenstown, will begin in late 2007.

Jumeirah to run Trump International Hotel
Property developer Nakheel has signed an agreement with Jumeirah to run its $400m (£210m) Trump International Hotel and Tower on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. The deal also gives Jumeirah the operating and management rights to the Jumeirah Shoreline Hotel and Yacht Club on the up-and-coming World development. Gerald Lawless, chief executive of Jumeirah said the deal was a huge catch and part of the company’s aim to run 40 hotels by 2009.

Oberoi plans to expand
EIH, owners of the Oberoi hotel group and Trident Hilton brand, has announced plans for 12 new projects in India, the UAE, the Maldives and Cambodia. In India the group is planning a 130-room Oberoi property with 40 serviced apartments near Manesar, a 150-room Oberoi in Gurgaon and others in Goa and Bangalore. Luxury hotels in the Maldives and Cambodia are due to break ground in 2007. The group is also planning a second luxury Nile Cruiser to come on line in 2007.

Starwood expands in Turkey and China
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced a new 130-room W hotel in Istanbul, Turkey, scheduled to open in late 2007. The company has also signed two new Four Points by Sheraton in China – one in Tianjin, Zhongshan and the other in Hangzhou, Binjiang – taking its total Chinese portfolio to 26. Starwood also announced the appointment of Adam Aron, chairman and chief executive of World Leisure Partners to the company’s board of directors.

Kimpton adds Florida Hotel to Portfolio
Kimpton Hotels & Resorts has added the Sole on the Ocean Resort & Spa in Florida to its portfolio. The 250-room property is set to open in March 2007 and will feature rooms with floor to ceiling windows and ocean bay views. The interior designer is Stephane Dupoux, who has previously worked on New York’s Buddah Bar and Piccadilly’s Cocoon.

IHG expands in China
InterContinental Hotels Group has opened four hotels in China – over 1,100 rooms - in one month. The Crowne Plaza Changshu, Crowne Plaza Fudan Shanghai, Holiday Inn Jasmine Suzhou and Holiday Inn Seaview Qinhuangdao all opened between June and July, taking the group’s portfolio in China to 57. IHG has set a target of having 125 hotels open in China by 2008. IHG also announced plans for a Candlewood Suites hotel in Manassas, near Dulles International Airport in Northern Virginia, USA. The £4.2m, 100-room extended stay property is due to open at the end of 2007.

By Emily Manson

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