Worldwide briefing

Four Seasons to build in Marrakech
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is to manage a 140-room luxury hotel and 40 villas in a new $116m (£65m) development in Marrakech, Morocco. The land was bought in a joint venture by Kingdom Hotel Investments, European Hotels Corporation and Alliances Development Immobilier. 

JW III leaves Marriott
John W Marriott III is to leave his post as chief executive officer of Marriott. Having joined the hotel company in 1976, he said he wanted to focus on aggressively growing JWM Family Enterprises, which he launched 12 years ago and now has more than $600m (£337m) in assets. He will still be involved with Marriot serving as vice-chairman of Marriott International’s board of directors.

Stein Group expands
The Stein Group has added five more hotels to its portfolio of luxury and boutique hotels, taking its total to 11 across Europe. In February 2006, the group, which already has properties in Paris, London, Dublin, Amsterdam and Barcelona, will add its 12th property, the Gran Hotel Son Julia in Mallorca. The 15th Century mansion will have 24 individually designed rooms and suites as well as banqueting space for up to 300.

Small Luxury Hotels sees steady growth
Small Luxury Hotels of the World has seen steady growth this year with a 12% increase in revenue compared with the same period last year. The brand now has more than 350 hotels in 60 countries and has seen a rise of nearly 10% in reservations and room nights. Americans remain the brand’s biggest customers with more than 60% of guests, but Germans, French and Italians have seen a steady rise on last year. The average rate per room night worldwide is $317 (£178).

By Emily Manson

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