Hilton plans 13 Garden Inns in Saudi and other international hotel news

Hilton Hotels to develop 13 Hilton Garden Inn Hotels across Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Hilton Hotels has entered into an agreement with the Abdulmohsen Al-Hokair Group with the potential to deliver 13 Hilton Garden Inn properties.  These properties, which will be managed by Hilton, will be in key locations across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The first property is anticipated to open in 2009 in Riyadh. The agreement marks the entry of the first Hilton Garden Inn in the Middle East and Africa region. Over the next five years, Hilton and Al Hokair plan to introduce Hilton Garden Inn hotels across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in locations such as Riyadh, Al Khobar, Dammam, Jubail, King Abdullah Economic City, Taif, Abha, Tabuk, Hail/Buraydah and Yanbu.

 
Number of US hotel guestrooms in construction pipeline falls by 75%
The number of hotel guestrooms in the construction pipeline in the U.S. that have been abandoned increased by 75% in November 2008 over November 2007, according to data from the STR/TWR/Dodge Construction Pipeline Report.
November 2008 figures released last week show 93,219 guestrooms have been abandoned in various stages of development—from pre-planning to in construction, due to the current global economic crisis. That figure is 8,729 more guestrooms than in October 2008 and 39,887 more guestrooms than were abandoned as of November 2007.

Melbourne’s Westin Hotel sold for £73m
Melbourne's Westin hotel has been sold to the Malaysian-listed TA Enterprise Bhd for $160m (£73m). CBRE Hotels concluded the sale of the five-star property this week on behalf of a consortium of industry super funds, including Cbus. The acquisition represents the latest foray into Australia for TA Enterprise, a financial services and property investment firm which also owns the five-star Radisson Plaza Hotel in Sydney. The value proposition of the Australian dollar and the perception of our market as a well regulated, investment safe haven helped underpin interest in the sale of the 262-room five-star hotel.

Marriott hotel planned for Xi’an China in 2011
An upscale Marriott-branded hotel is planned to open in Xi’an, China, in 2011 under a long-term management agreement reached between Marriott International and Shaanxi Hangman Construction & Investment Development Co. When opened, the 315-room Xi’an Marriott Hotel will be part of the Chang’An Metropolis Center on Nanguan Zhengjie, near the South Ancient City Gate in Xi’an’s central business district. The hotel will offer a casual restaurant serving three meals daily, a Chinese restaurant and a specialty restaurant. In addition, the hotel will have an open lobby and lounge. Recreational amenities will include an indoor swimming pool and spa including a fully equipped health and fitness center. An executive level and lounge, business center with two small meeting rooms, and a gift shop complete the hotel’s array of amenities. The Marriott International hotel portfolio in China currently consists of 28 hotels representing the company’s JW Marriott, Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard by Marriott and Marriott Executive Apartments brands.  Another 20 hotels have been announced and are scheduled to open over the next 36 months.


By Gemma Sharkey

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