Regent International Hotels expands globally
Luxury hotel group Regent is to add nine hotels to its portfolio over the next two years. Four hotels are currently under construction in America – three in Florida and one in Boston. Asia will see three new hotels in Bangkok, Beijing and Ningbo, while in EMEA two hotels are under development in Budapest and Kuwait. The group currently operates properties in Shanghai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Berlin, Zagreb, Almaty and Beverly Hills.
Cendant spin-off to be named Wyndham Worldwide
Cendant Corporation’s new hospitality division is to be called Wyndham Worldwide when it launches later this year. WW will be an independent, publicly-traded company focused on the development and performance of its nine hotel lodging chains including Wyndham, Ramada, Super 8, Wingate Inn and Days Inn brands, its vacation exchange and rental businesses (RCI, Novasol, Landal GreenParks) and its timeshare resorts business (Fairfield Resorts and Trendwest Resorts).
Jumeirah land top hotel contract
Jumeirah has been appointed to manage Shanghai’s most prestigious new luxury hotel development at Xintiandi. The project is the most prominent hotel development in the Luwan District and is a joint venture between Shanghai Hotel investments limited and Shui On Private group. The 338-bedroom HanTang Jumeirah Shanghai will be designed by New York based Kohn Pedersen Fox Architects and Japanese interior designers Super Potato. It is scheduled to open in 2008.
Ikea goes into hotels with Golden Tulip
Golden Tulip hotel group has linked up with Ikea to develop a hotel next to one of the Swedish furniture designer’s stores in Delft in the Netherlands. The two companies have signed a letter of intent for the first Tulip Inn which would be a joint venture using both Golden Tulip and Ikea designs and furniture.
Villa Kennedy gets first Award
Rocco Forte’s latest venture, the Villa Kennedy in Frankfurt, which only opened at the start of March has already won its first award, the prestigious Hotel and Tourism award at the MIPIM trade show in Cannes last week. The €72m (£50m) hotel beat off competition from the Kruisherenhotel in Maastricht and the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort in Monaco.
Bahrain unveils master plan
Bahrain has unveiled a $100m (£57.7m) master plan for the Al Waha Resort as part of a major tourism infrastructure development initiative. The project, which was unveiled by the Bahrain-based Enshaa Development Real Estate Company will comprise a luxury hotel, executive serviced apartments and condominiums and will mix recreational, residential and commercial offerings.
Raffles set for grand China entry
Raffles International Hotels and Resorts is pulling out all the stops for the opening of its first property in China, the Raffles Beijing in June. Interior designers Ben Savarin and fashion designer Benny Ong are working on the former Beijing Hotel with senior Raffles staff who are lending their expertise including the Raffles Singapore general manger Thomas Meier.