St. Regis Hotels and Resorts Makes Glamorous Debut in China’s Coastal City of Qingdao

The St. Regis Qingdao Introduces Iconic Butler Service, Celebrated Rituals and Exquisite Dining to the Region’s Modern Luminaries

Qingdao, China

St. Regis Hotels and Resorts, part of Marriott International's portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, today announced the debut of The St. Regis Qingdao. The highly anticipated opening marks the first Marriott International luxury brand hotel in the northeastern Shandong region. Strategically located in the landmark Haitian Center in the heart of historic Qingdao, the hotel is set to delight the city’s luminaries and tastemakers with its elegant design, refined craftsmanship and time-honoured signature rituals.

"We are very excited to expand our luxury footprint to one of the most beautiful coastal cities in the region with the debut of the iconic St. Regis brand, bringing bespoke experiences curated for the most discerning travellers," said Henry Lee, President, Greater China, Marriott International. "The opening of The St. Regis Qingdao ushers in a new benchmark of luxury hospitality in this dynamic city and underscores our commitment to continuously grow in Eastern China."

Occupying the 58th to 78th floors of the 369-meter-tall Haitian Center, The St. Regis Qingdao is the tallest hotel in the region, enthralling guests with panoramic vistas of the Yellow Sea and picturesque coastal scenes. Within an hour’s drive from Qingdao Liuting International Airport, the hotel is adjacent to scenic Fushan Bay, the venue for the sailing competitions during the Beijing Olympics, and with views of iconic local landmarks such as Badaguan Cultural Architecture Centre and Qingdao International Sailing Centre.

Drawing inspiration from the brand’s rich heritage, the renowned Singapore based interior design firm, LTW Designworks, subtly infused local Qingdao influences with St. Regis’ avant-garde aesthetic. This includes a crystal chandelier inspired by a legendary dress of golden thorns that Caroline Astor, mother of St. Regis founder John Jacob Astor IV and doyenne of New York high society in the Gilded Age, wore to one of her famed Midnight Suppers. A brilliantly-lit grand staircase offers the perfect venue for the celebrated St. Regis tradition of sabering a bottle of champagne to mark the transition from day to night. The backdrop of the grand staircase is a 74-meter-high atrium art wall that reflects the delicate traces left on the beach by the ebb and flow of the Yellow Sea.

Charlotte’s Newest Hotel is Set to Redefine Luxury Hospitality with Stunning Design, Exceptional Service and a Holistic Approach to Well-being

Charlotte’s Newest Hotel is Set to Redefine Luxury Hospitality with Stunning Design, Exceptional Service and a Holistic Approach to Well-being

JW Marriott, part of Marriott International, made its debut in North Carolina this week with the opening of JW Marriott Charlotte, located in the bustling Southern city’s dynamic Uptown neighbourhood. The 381-room luxury hotel, including 34 custom suites, offers discerning guests an urban retreat with inspired surroundings in which to relax and be present.

“With the opening of JW Marriott Charlotte, we will make sure every detail is taken care of, so our guests can focus on themselves during their stay,” said Bruce Rohr, Global Brand Leader, JW Marriott. “With thoughtful details throughout the property, holistic programming and an array of wellness offerings, guests will be encouraged to experience every moment to the fullest.”

Stunning Design

Inspired by Queen Charlotte, the city’s namesake, JW Marriott Charlotte draws inspiration from the sumptuous textiles of both her royal clothing and palaces, and marries them with the modern sensibility of the city. Ornate details, such as the flowing custom lobby chandelier that draws inspiration from the sumptuous patterns of the queen’s royal clothing, are set against grand-scale architecture, which gives the overall aesthetic of the hotel a clean and modern form.

One of the most defining features of JW Marriott Charlotte is its use of natural light to promote a minimal and relaxing environment while also showcasing regal craftsmanship, finishes and details throughout.

All guest rooms and most of the hotel’s 22,000 square feet of meeting space feature floor-to-ceiling windows, with city, stadium and vista views of greater Charlotte.

The 23-story building is a focal point of a new pedestrian-friendly public plaza and guests will have immediate access to diverse arts and culture, exciting sports and entertainment, convenient transportation, Bank of America Stadium and the renovated Charlotte Convention Center.

Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive Resort opens

Hotel giant Hilton has celebrated the opening of Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive Resort as the latest addition to Hilton’s expanding All-Inclusive portfolio. Situated between the beaches of Bay of Banderas and the majestic Sierra Madre Mountain in Mexico’s Pacific Coast, the 444-room hotel features 14 restaurants and bars, two infinity pools and 16,200 square feet of versatile indoor meeting and event space. Managed by Hilton, the hotel was developed by Parks Hospitality and is owned by Fibra UNO. 

“With this newest addition to our rapidly growing portfolio in Mexico, we reinforce our commitment to continued expansion in both the all-inclusive segment and in one of the most desired leisure destinations in Latin America”, said Danny Hughes, executive vice president and president, Americas, Hilton. “We are excited to welcome guests to Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive Resort, where there is something for everyone — first-class facilities and amenities, a gorgeous setting amid the beach and lush rainforest, magnificent sunsets, and exquisite cuisine.” 

Rooms

Offering 444 spacious and modern suites each with sleek bathrooms featuring walk-in rainfall showers, hotel guest rooms are a soothing and comfortable haven to relax after a day exploring the former fishing town or relaxing at the beach. Each room is complemented by private balconies and terraces overlooking the Pacific coastline, a perfect spot for guests to start or wind down the day admiring the sunrise or sunset. For a more relaxing experience, some suites offer a whirlpool tub. 

Guests will enjoy peace of mind with an industry-leading standard of cleanliness and disinfection from check-in to check-out with Hilton CleanStay. Hilton CleanStay builds upon the already high standards of housekeeping and hygiene at Hilton’s more than 6,600 properties worldwide, where hospital-grade cleaning products and upgraded protocols are currently in use. As part of the program, guests can expect procedures including additional cleaning and disinfection on areas “knock and go” dropped-off room service and flexible housekeeping options.

Wyndham Rewards returned to Sedgefield Country Club this week as proud title sponsor of the 82nd annual Wyndham Championship.

Wyndham Rewards, 

the world’s most generous rewards program spanning more than 50,000 hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals, returns to Sedgefield Country Club this week as proud title sponsor of the 82nd annual Wyndham Championship.

Regarded as one of the most fan-friendly stops on the PGA TOUR, this year’s tournament welcomes fans back to the Piedmont Triad for the first time since 2019. In celebration, Wyndham Rewards is making this year’s Championship even more rewarding, putting up to 100 million Wyndham Rewards points up for grabs and offering in-person attendees the chance to walk away with up to 15,000 Wyndham Rewards points each, enough for a weekend getaway at thousands of hotels coast to coast.

“Last year was a reminder for all of us of the important role that both travel and live events play in our everyday lives,” said Eliot Hamlisch, EVP of Loyalty and Wyndham Rewards program leader. “With that in mind, we couldn’t be more excited to be back with fans at Sedgefield. With fantastic food, incredible giveaways, live entertainment and of course, great championship golf, this year’s tournament is all about welcoming fans back and letting each attendee know—you’ve earned this.”

MCR opens Hilton Garden Inn in Minneapolis

MCR is the proud owner of the 141-room Hilton Garden Inn Minneapolis University Area at the University of Minnesota’s main campus that’s home to more than 50,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Last fall, MCR acquired the DoubleTree from a lender who foreclosed on their borrower. MCR’s purchase price was more than a 40% discount to what the hotel previously sold for in 2018. In June 2021, MCR rebranded the hotel from a DoubleTree to a Hilton Garden Inn.

The Hilton Garden Inn is MCR’s second hotel in Minneapolis. MCR also purchased the 60-room Chambers Hotel downtown at a price that was nearly 50% below the prior owner’s cost basis.

Located on the University of Minnesota’s East Bank main campus, the Hilton Garden Inn Minneapolis University Area is across from the M Health Clinics hospital and its recently opened $160 million surgery centre. The Stadium Village light rail station — with links to Minneapolis−Saint Paul Airport — is just two blocks away.