Best Western’s big plans for Malaysia... and other International hotel news

Best Western’s big plans for Malaysia
Best Western International plans to add between four and six hotels in Malaysia over the next 12 months. The US-based company will use its flagship hotel, Best Western Premier Seri Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur as a platform from which to expand into the country, with the first new launch - a  three-star product - due in September. The company said it planned to open more hotels in Malaysia, Thailand, Japan and Indonesia – wherever there was a critical mass in domestic travelling.

Hilton continues global expansion
Hilton International is continuing its global expansion with plans to open a Doubletree hotel in Thailand in 2008 and three Hilton Garden Inn hotels in Germany and Italy later this year. The Doubletree Golf Resort and Spa will feature 358 rooms and suites overlooking the fairway of Sriracha Golf Course, which is based an hour’s drive from downtown Bangkok.  The mid-priced Hilton Garden Inn brand will open new hotels in Stuttgart, Germany and Florence and Rome Airport in Italy before the end of 2006.

New tower for Taj Mahal
Construction has started on the new $250m (£132m) hotel tower at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey. The tower, expected to be completed in the summer of 2008, will add 786 rooms to the Taj Mahal, which currently offers 1,250 rooms. The new tower will stand 40 storeys high and 450ft tall, with 716 standard guest rooms and 70 suites with ocean views.

Early warning sirens for coastal Indonesia
The Indonesian government is planning to equip mobile phone towers based in coastal areas with sirens to act as tsunami warning stations. The move follows claims that those living in coastal areas were not alerted to the possible dangers of a tsunami and that warnings came too late.

Moscow Hotel up for privatisation
Azerbaijan’s State Property Committee has announced an investment contest for the equity of the Moscow Hotel. Candidates must submit investment programmes detailing their plans for a modern hotel and the creation of new jobs. Bidders must also be prepared to transfer AZN 1m (£576,150) and 50,000 privatisation cheques to the State budget. Bids must be received before 6 September at 6pm and will be unsealed on 8 September at 10.30am.

Express opening for Brooklyn
InterContinental Hotels Group will open a new 115-room Holiday Inn Express hotel in Brooklyn New York this month. The eight storey Brooklyn hotel will be based on Union Street between 3rd and 4th Avenue, one mile from downtown Brooklyn. Another Holiday Inn Express is scheduled to open later this year in West Chelsea on 29th Street. 

By Emily Manson
 

Get your copy of Caterer and Hotelkeeper every week - click here to subscribe and save 25%.