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Welcome to Hotel101 A new bloig and news site dedicated to bringing you news of hotel opennings and developments around the world. Look out for special reports and destination guides as well as discount rates and exclusive events.

Saturday 31 October 2020

Massive fine for Marriott over mega long data breach

Marriott Hotels has been fined £18.4 million by the UK's data privacy watchdog for a data breach that first started in 2014 and lasted until 2018.

This mega data breach saw the names, email addresses, phone numbers, passport numbers
arrival and departure information, VIP status plus loyalty programme numbers exposed to the hackers of around 339 million guests. That vast number of people affected includes seven million UK based guests. 

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) said Marriott failed to put appropriate safeguards in place. "Millions of people's data was affected by Marriott's failure," commissioner Elizabeth Denham said. "Thousands contacted a helpline and others may have had to take action to protect their personal data because the company they trusted it with had not."

Despite fining the hotel firm, the ICO said Marriott had acted quickly once it found the breach and had improved systems since. "The ICO recognises the steps taken by Marriott following discovery of the incident to promptly inform and protect the interests of its guests,"

This fine does not take into consideration a data loss from Marriott in 2019, which affected guests based in other countries and territories.  

Friday 30 October 2020

Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel will reopen on November 5, 2020.

     


                           Marcus Hotels & Resorts confirmed that Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel will reopen on November 5, 2020. Recognized as Milwaukee’s most esteemed hotel with an elite award repertoire that includes Condé Nast Traveler’s 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards as the #6 Top Hotel in the Midwest, Top 10 Best New Hotels by USA Today, and the 2020 Hospitality Design Awards, Saint Kate is among the first hotels in the nation to broadly celebrate arts in its many forms – from painting and sculpture to music, poetry, and dance.

The Pfister Hotel, Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, and The Garland Named Top Hotels and Resorts by Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards


Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, a nationally recognized hotel owner and management company and division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), today announced that four of its owned and/or managed properties were again recognized as top hotels in Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards.


The Pfister Hotel, located in Milwaukee, was recognized as the #8 Top Hotel in the Midwest by Condé Nast Traveler readers. More than 125 years old, the iconic hotel is known for its gracious service, timeless elegance, and the finest in exceptional hospitality. As Milwaukee’s distinguished luxury hotel, The Pfister has created many exceptional programs, including an internationally recognized Artist-in-Residence program now in its 12th year, Pfister “Narrator” program that chronicles the daily life and spirit of the hotel, and its cherished Afternoon Tea, featuring its very own Tea Butler. The Pfister is also home to the largest Victorian art collection of any hotel in the world. This is the fourth consecutive year the property has been named a Top Hotel in the Midwest by Condé Nast Traveler readers.

Sunday 25 October 2020

Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Recognized With 14 Condé Nast Traveler 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards

The Roosevelt New Orleans Photo Hilton
Condé Nast Traveller announced the results of its 33rd annual Readers’ Choice Awards, recognizing 14 unique properties within Hilton’s luxury portfolio. Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts earned 11 property awards and Conrad Hotels & Resorts earned three property awards for best-in-class hotels around the globe.

The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry. More than 715,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers submitted an incredible number of responses rating their travel experiences across the globe.

Of the 14 Hilton luxury properties recognized, six were ranked in the top five, and eight properties were ranked in the top 10 in each of their respective categories. Two properties secured the coveted number one ranking with The Roosevelt New Orleans, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel ranking as the top hotel in New Orleans and Waldorf Astoria Beijing coming in as the first choice among all hotels in China.

Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Recognized With 14 Condé Nast Traveler 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards

Condé Nast Traveler announced the results of its 33rd annual Readers’ Choice Awards, recognizing 14 unique properties within Hilton’s (NYSE: HLT) luxury portfolio. Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts earned 11 property awards and Conrad Hotels & Resorts earned three property awards for best-in-class hotels around the globe.

The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry. More than 715,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers submitted an incredible number of responses rating their travel experiences across the globe.

Saturday 24 October 2020

Accor and BNP Paribas become strategic partners to launch a co-branded payment card in Europe

Accor, a world leader in hospitality, and BNP Paribas, the leading bank in the eurozone and a key international banking player, announce that they have concluded a pan-European partnership to launch a unique co-branded payment card. Members of the ALL-Accor Live Limitless lifestyle loyalty program who subscribe to the card will be able to use it for all their day-to-day purchases. Linking up with one of the sector’s best loyalty programs, card users will earn points as soon as they start spending, upgrade to a higher status more quickly, and enjoy special and unforgettable experiences both in the Group’s hotels and across the entire Accor ecosystem.

The Conrad London St. James will be taking centre stage with the opening of four new food and drinks concepts in Westminster.

 

At the heart of one of London’s most symbolic boroughs, Conrad London St. James will be taking centre stage with the opening of four new food and drinks concepts in Westminster. The hotel, set in Constitutional London and a stone’s throw from London’s most-visited landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye, is investing £1.75 million in creating exceptional and pioneering eating and drinking concepts. Designed to provide a truly British experience, and with the area’s community and global travellers in mind, the hotel will launch a new signature restaurant; a contemporary take on the traditional London pub; an afternoon tea lounge, and the addition of the hotel’s first cocktail bar. Significantly, Michelin-starred chef Sally Abé has been appointed as Consultant Chef.

The hotel has appointed leading designers Wilson Associates to create stunning interiors to bring to life a very London pub; a glamorous new restaurant inspired by pioneering women; a seasonally-influenced and elegant cocktail bar; discreet private dining, and an afternoon tea lounge.

Friday 23 October 2020

Wyndham Honours Military Members with Special Savings, 1 Million Point Match

Military members, veterans and their families can save up to 15 percent off the best available rate and receive 
500 Wyndham Rewards bonus points



Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company with over 9,000 hotels across approximately 90 countries, is once again saying thank you to those who serve, offering special savings on upcoming stays and matching Wyndham Rewards® point donations to its preferred military non-profit partners.

Now through December 8, 2020, military members and their families can enjoy savings of up to 15 percent off the best available rate on stays at participating Wyndham hotels, plus 500 Wyndham Rewards bonus points. During that same time, Wyndham will match, one-for-one, all Wyndham Rewards point donations—up to 1 million points—made to its military non-profit partners, which include Hope for the Warriors, Fisher House Foundation, Armed Services YMCA and Operation Homefront. Each military non-profit partner will have point donations matched during the promotional period, up to 250,000 points.

Hilton Effect Foundation Reveals 2020 Grants and Achieves $1 Million in Global COVID-19 Community Response Efforts

23 grants awarded to organizations worldwide to help build stronger and more inclusive communities

 The Hilton Effect Foundation announced today its 2020 Hilton Effect grantees, which include community-based organizations playing a direct role in COVID-19 pandemic recovery efforts. Through these grants and donations already made by the Foundation, which serves as Hilton’s primary philanthropic arm, the Foundation has now awarded more than $1 million dollars in COVID-19 community response efforts.

“A core part of the Hilton Effect Foundation’s work is to support our communities around the world through both good times and bad,” said Kate Mikesell, president, Hilton Effect Foundation. “From the very start of the pandemic, we have been listening to community leaders about the direct and indirect challenges they are facing as a result of COVID-19. Based on their feedback, we have focused our grants on driving inclusive recovery and strengthening community resiliency.” 

Wednesday 14 October 2020

Hyatt Regency to open new 400 room four start hotel in New York

Artists rendering  Photo Business Wire
Exciting news for travellers to New York, as Hyatt Hotels Corporation, has confirmed plans for a new hotel located at Resorts World Casino New York City (RWNYC). 

The Hyatt Regency JFK at Resorts World New York is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2021, and will be an eight-story 400-room four-star hotel with residential-inspired guestrooms and premium suites with energizing design and insightful in-room technology. 

According to the plans, this hotel will also include new restaurants, state-of-the-art conference and meeting spaces, plus retail options, and additional gaming areas!  RWNYC is the only casino in New York City, offering over 6,000 slots and electronic table games to millions of guests annually.

Monday 12 October 2020

USA Today Readers Name Wyndham Rewards Best Hotel Loyalty Program for a Third Consecutive Year

USA Today Readers Name Wyndham Rewards Best Hotel Loyalty Program for a Third Consecutive Year



Wyndham Rewards®, the world’s most generous rewards program spanning more than 30,000 hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally, today announced it has once again been named the best hotel loyalty program in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards and that its Wyndham Rewards® Visa® Card has been named the best travel and hotel co-branded credit card.

This marks the third consecutive year that Wyndham Rewards has received the highest honor in the hotel loyalty program category and the second consecutive year that its co-branded credit card has taken the top spot. Nominations are sourced by a panel of travel industry experts, including editors from USA Today and 10best.com, and winners are chosen based on daily voting from USA Today readers over a four-week period.

“In a year unlike any other, we’re incredibly thankful for the continued support of our millions of members, who today make up nearly half of all guests at our U.S. hotels and more than a third of our guests globally,” said Eliot Hamlisch, executive vice president, loyalty and revenue optimization, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “Our members are at the core of everything we do and are immensely valuable not just to Wyndham but to our thousands of franchisees. On average, members stay more, stay longer, and spend more than non-members. To earn this honor three years in a row speaks volumes about their dedication to Wyndham’s brands and to Wyndham Rewards.”

This year’s rankings come on the heels of Wyndham’s newly announced and updated credit card suite featuring the Wyndham Rewards EarnerSM Card, the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card and the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card, the first Wyndham credit card created specifically for small businesses. All three cards amplify rewards earned on the road, as well as everyday purchases, with up to 8x earn on gas purchases and Wyndham hotel stays; up to 5x earn on marketing, advertising and utility purchases (Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card only); and up to 4x earn on restaurant and grocery purchases. Interested members can learn more, including how to earn up to 45,000 bonus points, at www.wyndhamrewardscreditcard.com.

Saturday 10 October 2020

Hotel Engine Members Can Now Double Dip With Expanded Hotel Loyalty Program

                   

                          Hotel Engine, the leading, no-contract platform for corporate hotel booking, today announced it has enhanced its Hotel Engine Loyalty Program, enabling business travelers on its platform to accrue personal points across 15 hotel loyalty programs worldwide while concurrently earning Hotel Engine Rewards, which can be redeemed for discounted and free hotel stays in the future, at no added cost. This double rewards program is among the few in the industry.

“For business travelers in categories spanning professional services to construction, their hotel reward points are well-earned gold,” shared Elia Wallen, Hotel Engine founder and CEO. “With this new program, Hotel Engine ensures its members continue to accrue their hard-earned hotel loyalty points, while also benefiting from the cost-savings, customer support and travel insights Hotel Engine provides.”

In addition to Hotel Engine Rewards, travelers can accrue points toward 3rd party hotel loyalty programs, including Choice Hotels, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Hilton Honors and IHG Rewards.

Mission Pacific Hotel, a Joie de Vivre Hotel, and The Seabird Resort, a Destination Hotel, to Debut in Oceanside, California

Set to open Spring 2021, adjacent boutique properties are poised to become a world-class beach destination 
in San Diego County



Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Oceanside Beach Resort Owner LLC, an affiliate of S.D. Malkin Properties, proudly announce the naming of the new Mission Pacific Hotel and The Seabird Resort, both expected to open in Spring 2021 in Oceanside, Calif. The two adjacent hotels will be the newest and largest oceanfront resort development in San Diego County in more than half of a century, collectively spanning 700 feet of beachfront property. Along with immediate beach access, Mission Pacific Hotel and The Seabird Resort will offer guests a combined 387 guestrooms – most with water-facing views – as well as a variety of food and beverage experiences, oceanview pools and meeting spaces, full recreational programming for beach services and water sports, and more.

Guests of the new Mission Pacific Hotel will enjoy a laid-back, yet upscale experience. The hotel will feature 161 guestrooms and suites, more than 3,000 square feet of curated retail, and three bespoke food and beverage experiences, including the only rooftop pool bar in northern San Diego County, and a restaurant overlooking the pier from renowned Guadalupe Valley Chef, Roberto Alcocer. The hotel will also open the doors to the “Top Gun” house, the iconic 1887 house featured in the popular 1980s film following an extensive restoration project. As part of Hyatt’s Joie de Vivre boutique hotel brand, Mission Pacific Hotel will invite guests and locals alike to connect, live in the moment and celebrate the joy of life.

Saturday 3 October 2020

Hyatt Place and Hyatt House Hotels at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport Officially Open

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced Hyatt Place Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Hyatt House Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport officially open. The openings mark the first Hyatt Place and Hyatt House dual-branded project in France and bring the number of Hyatt-branded hotels across the country to twelve as the Hyatt brand expands globally in markets that matter most to guests and World of Hyatt members.



Managed by dual-brand hotel expert, Cycas Hospitality, the hotels are located in Paris Nord 2 International Business Park, one of the Ile-de-France’s busiest gateways, close to Europe’s second-largest airport, Paris-Charles de Gaulle.

Friday 2 October 2020

Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club coming soon

Renowned resort celebrating the coastal lifestyle of Southern California to premiere as Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club


                                           Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Hilton’s iconic luxury hotel brand, has confirmed the upcoming debut of the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club, a distinctive 400-room AAA five-diamond hotel in Dana Point, Calif. Purchased by Ohana Real Estate Investors in November 2019, Monarch Beach Resort is a celebrated coastal retreat in relaxed, sun-splashed Orange County. 

“The Monarch Beach Resort’s impeccable product, unmatched service standard and enviable location make it a perfect addition to the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts portfolio. We are incredibly excited about welcoming the resort and its team members to Hilton,” said Danny Hughes, Executive Vice President and President, Americas, Hilton. “We are already partnering with the team at Ohana Real Estate Investors as we transition the resort management, and we look forward to welcoming guests and members to Southern California’s premier luxury destination.”

Monarch Beach Resort, long renowned for its unforgettable experiences and unparalleled standard of hospitality, aligns perfectly with the Waldorf Astoria brand ethos, which invites guests to Live Unforgettable.

Thursday 1 October 2020

Viva Wyndham Resorts has announced the reopening of the all-inclusive, family-friendly Dominicus Beach property in La Romana, Dominican Republic.


Viva Wyndham Resorts has announced the reopening of the all-inclusive, family-friendly Dominicus Beach property in La Romana, Dominican Republic. In addition to implementing new health and safety protocols, the property now boasts a complete transformation - newly renovated guest rooms, lobby and nature-inspired areas, swimming pools, restaurants and bars - after temporarily closing due to the pandemic.

Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach opened in 1987 and is the first property of the brand’s all-inclusive Caribbean resorts. Its updated reemergence marks a new era for the property and for vacationers looking for an escape replete with resort amenities, onsite dining and entertainment.