Hotel JAL City Bangkok, the 16th property to operate under the Hotel JAL City brand, opens 3rd July

Hotel JAL City Bangkok, the 16th property to operate under the Hotel JAL City brand, which is one of the most renowned hotel brands in Japan, is all set to open on 3rd July.

The official opening had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is the first of the brand to open outside of Japan and is located on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok’s Thonglor tourist and business district. 

Hotel JAL City Bangkok is situated adjacent to Hotel Nikko Bangkok, which opened in January 2019. Thonglor BTS Skytrain station is just a three-minute walk away. Thonglor is an area extending north and south from Soi Sukhumvit 55, commonly known as Thonglor Road, in the Wattana district of central Bangkok. The area has long been home to many Japanese and other expatriates as well as wealthy Thais. The Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) and Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), along with multinational restaurants, bars, community malls and international hospitals, are all nearby, making it a prime location for both business and leisure.

“We are delighted to be able to announce the opening of the first Hotel JAL City property outside Japan,” said Mr Tadashi Kitahara, General Manager of Hotel Nikko Bangkok and Hotel JAL City Bangkok. “We are expecting this to bring broader recognition of our hotel brand in Thailand and we aim to provide the renowned Japanese style omotenashi service, taking full advantage of the convenient and strategic location of the new hotel.”

MCR acquires three hotels in Florida.........The Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt properties are in the Sunshine State’s fastest-growing markets

MCR — the 3rd-largest hotel owner-operator in the U.S. has acquired three hotels in Florida. Totalling 384 rooms, the portfolio includes a Hampton Inn by Hilton, a Courtyard by Marriott and a Hyatt Place in Orlando and Daytona Beach — both among Florida’s fastest-growing markets. With this portfolio acquisition, MCR now has 13 hotels in Florida.

How magical! The 169-room Hyatt Place Orlando/Lake Buena Vista is located a few miles from Walt Disney World Resort and in walking distance of the world-class shopping, dining and entertainment offered in the Disney Springs district. It’s also a short drive from iconic destinations like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal Studios.

Race to the beach! Located just off State Road A1A and directly on the water, the 111-room Hampton Inn Daytona Shores features a sunny pool deck and direct access to the beach. It’s also conveniently located near numerous dining and golfing options. The Ocean Center convention arena and Daytona Beach Golf Club are both five miles away and the famous Daytona International Speedway is less than 20 minutes from the hotel!

Go, Hatters, go! The newly built, 104-room Courtyard Marriott DeLand Historic Downtown is the only hotel located downtown next to Stetson University, a private university with more than 4,000 students. The hotel is also within walking distance of top local attractions including SkyDive DeLand, Downtown DeLand and the Athens Theatre, as well as plenty of local shops and restaurants.

Hyatt to open a Thompson branded hotel in Palm Springs.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has confirmed it will be bringing its Thompson brand to Palm Springs in California with a 168-room property scheduled to open in late 2023.

Thompson Palm Springs will offer panoramic views of the San Jacinto Mountains and the city of Palm Springs and will feature a modern, groundbreaking design in the heart of the city. Unique guestroom bungalows will be surrounded by two outdoor pools, gardens, lounge areas and winding walking paths, immersing visitors in the natural landscape of Palm Springs. 

Additional amenities including a signature restaurant helmed by a world-class chef, sought-after indoor and outdoor bar and lounges, a well-appointed spa and fitness concept, and approximately 8,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space.

Thompson Palm Springs will also offer over 20,000 square feet of ground-level retail and restaurant space along Downtown’s iconic Palm Canyon Drive which will include HALL Napa Valley, a 3,400 square foot tasting room from owners Craig & Kathryn Hall showcasing selections from their family of wines: HALL, WALT and BACA.

Thompson Palm Springs will be led by general manager Jeffrey Miller said:  “We are excited to welcome guests and locals to Thompson Palm Springs, which will bring-to-life the iconic spirit of the destination through striking design, innovative culinary offerings and locally inspired guest experiences.”

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Hilton launches new long-stay brand.

Hilton has released details of a new long-stay brand designed to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding $300 billion workforce travel market. Initially launching in the U.S. under the working title Project H3, the idea is to offer a lower midscale, extended-stay solution for business and working travellers, that provides a reliable and consistent foundation allowing guests to make the most out of every day.

Hilton says it has created a hotel product for a vastly underserved group of travellers looking for apartment-style accommodations for 20 nights or more, built with the staying power of Hilton’s award-winning hospitality.

“Project H3 is perfectly positioned to serve the unique needs of the long-stay traveller, thanks to its innovative design, strong value proposition for our owners and of course, the hospitality our team members offer every day,” said Chris Nassetta, president and CEO, of Hilton. “We aim to serve any guest, anywhere in the world, for any travel need they may have, and this new brand represents a greater opportunity for us to grow our portfolio while providing the reliable and friendly service our customers expect from Hilton.”

Hilton’s research shows that long-stay travellers, including travelling nurses, military personnel, and those experiencing workforce relocations, value the simple things in life, placing quality time and comfort above all else. In addition, those looking for a long stay will book an average of 20 or more nights and desire a reliable home base that allows them to maintain their routines while delivering simplicity, consistency and convenience.

This new extended-stay brand will appeal to the long-stay traveller through signature elements including:

The Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa has officially opened

The Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa has officially opened in Murcia, southeast Spain, following an extensive refurbishment.

Javier Águila, group president EAME, Hyatt, said, "We are grateful for our continued collaboration with Grupo Inversor Hesperia, in making Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa a striking example of the Grand Hyatt brand delivering on its promise of celebrating the iconic in both the small details and magnificent moments."

The CEO of Grupo Inversor Hesperia, Jordi Ferrer, highlights, “The arrival of the Grand Hyatt brand in Spain via La Manga Club is undoubtedly an important step for our company and for the Spanish tourism sector as a whole. We are convinced that with this new hotel, distinguished by the exclusiveness of its services and location, we are going to offer unique experiences to our clients and generate new value for the Murcia Region." 

Mediterranean-inspired Guestrooms

The 192 elegantly appointed guestrooms, including seven signature suites, showcase the hotel’s idyllic location overlooking the rolling hills of Calblanque natural park and the Mediterranean Sea. Each guestroom exudes luxury, elegance and sophistication featuring the latest amenities, colours inspired by the surrounding nature and spa-inspired marble bathrooms.

Recreation and Wellness

Africa’s largest hotel Gets a Grand Opening

Africa’s largest hotel Gets a Grand Opening

Ethiopian Airlines Group, the largest aviation group in Africa, holds a grand opening of the largest hotel on the African continent as it inaugurates the second phase of the Ethiopian  Skylight Hotel. Ethiopian Airlines opened the first phase of Ethiopian Skylight Hotel back in January 2019. With the new extension, the hotel now has a total of 1,024 modern rooms and suites with different room types including fully equipped apartments suitable for long and short-staying guests. 

The hotel also incorporates meeting and event facilities which can accommodate from  small to up to 5000 guests, 19 food and beverage outlets including Ethiopian, Italian,  Arabian and Asian restaurants, coffee houses, bars, recreational facilities and spots for  sips or hand-crafted cocktails with a panoramic view of the airport and the city. 

Regarding the grand opening of Ethiopian Skylight Hotel’s second phase, Ethiopian  Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew said “We are truly pleased to be standing here today on the grand opening ceremony of Ethiopian Skylight Hotel’s second phase as we will now have an even greater facility to accommodate guests. Above all we are thrilled with the accomplishment as it takes our contribution to Ethiopia’s tourism sector a step higher. The hotel is suitable to accommodate both business and leisure events and stays. Skylight Hotel has been providing a wide range of luxury experiences to its guests and with the completion of the second phase more five-star facilities and experiences will be available. With Skylight Hotel having more than 1000 rooms  and several other facilities, we can now proudly say that we have the largest hotel in the African  continent”

Located in the diplomatic capital of Africa, Addis Ababa, home to UNECA and AU  headquarters, Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, stands within a prime location at just 5 minutes’ walk from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. The hotel is built to be a suitable space for both business and social event gatherings.  

Construction of phase two of the project had been ongoing while the hotel’s services were open and available for guests through the first phase of Ethiopian Skylight facility.  It is also to be recalled that Ethiopian inaugurated a Five-Star In-Terminal Hotel which is set to take passengers' transit experience at Ababa Bole International Airport to a whole new level with 97 modern and luxurious rooms, a restaurant, a meeting space, and other facilities within the airport Departure Terminal 2 back in September 2022 which is managed under Ethiopian Skylight Hotel.  

Don't forget to visit our sister site Air101.co.uk to find out about all things aviation.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Panama City Beach Resort Opens

The St. Joe Company and Hilton announce the opening of the 255-suite Embassy Suites by Hilton Panama City Beach Resort. The resort is located in the popular Pier Park shopping and entertainment district with unobstructed views of the Gulf of Mexico available from each of its five floors.

The resort features a Gulf-view pool complex with a waterslide and hot tub, a business center, a fitness center and approximately 15,500 square feet of meeting and event space. Additionally, the resort is home to two restaurants, Blu Bar & Grill serving lunch and dinner with both indoor and outdoor seating, and Fin, which provides guests with complimentary hot breakfast. Vue 55, the fifth-floor, open-air event venue, is available for weddings and group functions and boasts sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico and the Russell-Fields Pier.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Panama City Beach Resort’s 255 suites are a mix of one- and two-bedroom suites, including two-bedroom family suites and multi-room suites with bunkbeds. The resort’s Five Feet to Fitness™ suites enable guests to work out in the privacy of their suite with access to a variety of fitness equipment.

Andaz Nanjing Hexi opens

Hyatt Hotels in association with Sun Hung Kai Properties has confirmed the opening of Andaz Nanjing Hexi, the fourth Andaz property in the region. It is located in the rapidly developing Hexi central business district area and is ideal for exploring the city and local area. 

Andaz Nanjing Hexi boasts stunning views of the city and Yangtze River from its prime position atop Nanjing Metro Yuantong station of Line2 and Line10. As part of the most sought-after landmark Nanjing IFC, the hotel, together with two super grade-A office towers and the luxury shopping mall with top-notch international brands in the complex, create a one-stop destination of premium business, shopping, dining, entertaining and living experiences. With its perfect blend of Nanjing’s eclectic spirit, rich culture, and the vibrant character of the modern neighbourhood the property resides in, Andaz Nanjing Hexi serves as an exciting new destination for curious travellers and locals to explore and experience.

“SHKP has always been committed to developing and operating premium landmark projects. As an integral part of the Group’s flagship project Nanjing IFC, the newly opening Andaz Nanjing Hexi, along with two world-class office towers and the luxury IFC mall in the complex, will further reshape the business dynamics and economic vitality of the city, renewing a sense of glamour to this culturally rich destination,” says Albert Lau, Executive Director of Sun Hung Kai Properties.

“We are very pleased to have an Andaz hotel join our hotel portfolio. It is a new-generation luxury brand created for the young and the young at heart. We believe the hotel will inject color and vibrance to the whole IFC complex and Hexi as we welcome people from all over China and the world to spend a memorable time in Nanjing,” says Tasos Kousloglou, CEO - Hotel division of Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited.

“We are thrilled by this introduction of the vibrant Andaz brand to the Hexi CBD area,” said Stephen Ho, president of growth and operations for Asia Pacific, Hyatt. “This location is perfect for our inspiring Andaz brand, providing guests the opportunity to experience Nanjing’s rich culture. We sincerely appreciate our hotel owner, Sun Hung Kai Properties, for their support with entrusting Hyatt for this new hotel.”

Contemporary Design Rooted in Local Culture

Hilton's first quarter results for 2023 released.

The hotel and hospitality giant, Hilton Worldwide Holdings, has just released details of its first quarter 2023 results which show the firm amassed a net income of $209 million.  The company added 9,200 rooms to Hilton's system in the first quarter, resulting in 5,300 net additional rooms in Hilton's system during the period and approved 24,900 new rooms for development, bringing Hilton's development pipeline to 428,100 rooms as of March 31, 2023

Hilton repurchased 3.2 million shares of Hilton common stock during the first quarter, bringing total capital return, including dividends, to $487 million for the quarter and more than $602 million year to date through April.

Full-year 2023 system-wide RevPAR is expected to increase between 8 percent and 11 percent on a comparable and currency-neutral basis compared to 2022; full-year net income is projected to be between $1,331 million and $1,385 million; full-year Adjusted EBITDA is projected to be between $2,875 million and $2,950 million. Full-year 2023 capital return is projected to be between $1.8 billion and $2.2 billion.

Christopher J. Nassetta, President & Chief Executive Officer of Hilton, said, "We carried strong momentum into 2023, exceeding the high end of our guidance for system-wide RevPAR, driving strong bottom-line results and delivering meaningful free cash flow available for return to our shareholders. As a result of our strong performance and positive outlook, we are raising our Adjusted EBITDA guidance for the full year."

In the first quarter of 2023, Hilton opened 64 new hotels totalling 9,200 rooms and achieved net unit growth of 5,300 rooms. Additionally, Hilton started construction on over 19,000 hotel rooms during the first quarter, continuing the positive momentum from the end of 2022, particularly in China. Further, Hilton continued to achieve development milestones during the first quarter, opening the 100th Tapestry Collection by Hilton, as well as its 500th hotel in China. 

The Incline Lodge: North Lake Tahoe’s Only Newly Renovated Boutique Hotel to Debut Summer 2023

The Incline Lodge, a 38-room mountain modern-inspired boutique hotel, will debut early summer as Incline Village’s first and only boutique hotel property. Located adjacent to The Hyatt Regency Hotel on Lake Tahoe’s north shore, the family-owned Incline Lodge is poised to provide a new year-round accommodation option and is now accepting reservations with availability starting July 1, 2023 for Lake Tahoe travelers and locals alike.

Formerly The Parkside Inn, The Incline Lodge has undergone extensive renovations complete with a sophisticated mountain modern aesthetic, custom designed finishes, enhanced acoustical treatments, and AC in every room. The property will also feature three exceptional amenity spaces including a new 1,000-square-foot lobby offering beer, wine, and elevated grab & go food, a downstairs concierge lounge that can accommodate private parties of up to 39 people and an indoor heated pool. Guests will also enjoy a technology driven guest journey with contactless check-in along with kind and knowledgeable staff.

“The vision for The Incline Lodge is to create a place of inspiration where people can create lifelong memories in one of the most beautiful places, and one of the best communities, in the world,” said owners and Incline Village-based residents Natasha and Ali Warner.

Pivot Expands Portfolio with Two Boutique Hotels on the Jersey Shore

Kushner Companies taps award-winning management company to operate Wave Resort and The Bungalow

Pivot, the lifestyle operating vertical of Davidson Hospitality Group, has been selected by Kushner Companies to operate the Wave Resort and The Bungalow. Situated in the heart of Pier Village in Long Branch, New Jersey along the iconic boardwalk, the 67-room Wave Resort features an oceanfront pool deck; Wave Resort Spa and fitness centre; 7,000 square feet of event space, and three distinct dining experiences. Also located in Pier Village, The Bungalow is comprised of 24 rooms and fully equipped suites with kitchenettes; an art gallery featuring work from local artists; 1,000 square feet of event space and a unique cocktail lounge.

"We are honoured to welcome these exceptional properties to our growing family," said Rick Colangelo, Executive Vice President, Pivot. "Through enhanced operations, robust group sales efforts, strategic revenue management, and optimization of the food & beverage concepts, we look forward to elevating both hotels with genuine heart to embolden a truly authentic experience."

"The Wave Resort and The Bungalow offer a genuinely reimagined Jersey Shore experience through modern architecture, design and exclusive amenities," said Nicole Kushner Meyer, President, Kushner Companies. "We were inspired by the Pivot team's deep understanding of the lifestyle space and proven track record of success gaining market share and maximizing seasonal demand drivers at like-minded hotels. The future is bright, and we are excited to leverage their well-rounded expertise to drive performance and profitability."

Pier Village, deemed as one of New Jersey's most luxurious oceanfront and dining destinations, is an award-winning mixed-use beachfront Victorian-inspired community, featuring more than 30 esteemed restaurants, shops and services.

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Happy 50th birthday to Drury Hotels .......

Drury Hotels turns 50.....

Drury Hotels Company, the family-owned and operated hospitality group, celebrates fifty years of warm welcomes this month. 

In 1973, the Drury family opened the first Drury Inn in Sikeston, Missouri and the company has grown to 150 hotels in 26 states. Drury Hotels include Drury Inn & Suites, Drury Inns, Drury Plaza Hotels, and Pear Tree Inns.

"Since our founding, we've been guided by the simple promise to provide our customers with clean rooms, friendly service, and a good night's sleep at an honest price," said Chuck Drury, President & CEO. "Fifty years later, that promise still stands with almost 6,000 team members dedicated to ensuring our guests Travel Happy."

Drury Hotels continually focuses on providing the best value for guests. In 2003, they were among the first in the hotel industry to offer free hot breakfast to their guests and followed up in 2010 by introducing free 5:30 Kickback®, with dinnertime snacks and cold beverages. As its latest enhancement, Drury Hotels recently introduced The Kitchen + Bar for late-night dining options at 16 Drury Hotels, with plans to add eight more by the end of 2024.

In 2022, Drury Hotels earned a record-breaking 17th consecutive J.D. Power award for Highest in Guest Satisfaction Among Upper Mid-Scale Hotel Chains. Drury Hotels' J.D. Power distinction sets a record for the most consecutive wins in the travel and hospitality category.

Continued Growth

Last December, Drury Hotels opened the 604-room Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando located within the Disney Springs® Area, an Official Walt Disney World® Hotel. In the past five years, Drury Hotels has opened 16 new hotels including downtown Nashville Tenn., Milwaukee Wis., Richmond Va., St. Paul Minn., and Dallas Texas. In addition, three new hotels are currently under construction in Tallahassee Fla., Savannah Ga., and Arlington Texas.