Viva Wyndham Announces Reopening of Viva Wyndham Azteca After Millions Spent on Renovations

Viva Wyndham Resorts, a collection of all-inclusive resorts located in the Caribbean, including Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas, today announced that after extensive renovations totalling more than $6 million, Viva Wyndham Azteca will reopen its doors to guests on November 1, 2021. The reopening of the all-inclusive, oceanfront resort located in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, home to the finest white-sand beaches in the renowned Playacar complex, also coincides with the reopening of Viva Wyndham’s V Heavens Resort located in the Playa Dorada complex in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. V Heavens features an ample array of amenities and also boasts a full-service spa, as well as a Robert Trent Jones Sr. signature golf course. The two resort openings complete the reopening of all eight of Viva Wyndham resorts across its portfolio.

Renovations to Viva Wyndham Azteca include upgrades to all room categories, including Superior Rooms which are outfitted with heritage-rich, Mexican-inspired décor and state-of-the-art technology, and boast stunning ocean, pool, and garden views. The lobby and public areas also feature all-new décor and a full renovation has been completed at the snack bar with Mexican-inspired design elements. The restaurants, El Nopal Buffet and Il Palco Italian a la carte, have also been completely redone with all new décor, high-end flooring, and beautiful paint schemes.

Hyatt Announces Plans for Grand Hyatt The Red Sea in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced this week that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with The Red Sea Development Company for a 430-room Grand Hyatt hotel on Shaura Island, the hub of the ambitious Red Sea Project on Saudi Arabia’s west coast. The luxury resort hotel will represent the largest of 11 hotels set to open on the island and will occupy a prime position within this innovative tourist development. Grand Hyatt The Red Sea will be the second Grand Hyatt hotel in the Kingdom and the seventh Grand Hyatt hotel in the Middle East, marking an important milestone in Hyatt’s growth strategy in the region.

Slated to open as part of phase one of the Red Sea Project, the property will be designed to reflect the bold and vibrant luxury synonymous with the Grand Hyatt brand, featuring sophisticated design, materials and decor inspired by the iconic elements present in the destination. Grand Hyatt The Red Sea will feature a striking architectural “coral bloom” design, a unique concept that resembles a bloom of coral in the sea from above, that will offer a sense of luxury that blends seamlessly with the natural environment. A tasteful mix of suites and large standard rooms will provide guests with a comfortable and upscale place from which to explore the area’s diverse ecosystem and endless attractions. World-class food and beverage venues and the wider amenities of the hub island, which will include a marina and an 18-hole championship golf course, will complete the luxury hotel experience within a breathtaking setting.

Graceland's at Christmas......new activities planned.

Activities include the Traditional Christmas Lighting Ceremony, Special Tours and Holiday Themed Concerts by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Ultimate ETA Dean Z, Josh Turner, Michael W. Smith and The Beach Boys.

This holiday season at Graceland will be filled with more festive events than ever to celebrate one of Elvis' favourite times of the year. Voted the #1 Best Historic Holiday Home Tour by USA Today's 10Best Readers two years in a row (2019 & 2020), Christmas at Graceland celebrates the King of Rock 'n' Roll's love of the season.

The festivities begin on November 18-20 during Graceland’s Holiday Lighting Weekend. The weekend kicks off with the annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony, which will feature internationally renowned songwriter and producer David Porter, along with students from the Stax Music Academy, “flipping the switch” to light Elvis’ iconic Graceland Mansion for the holiday season. In addition, the evening will include a holiday music performance by Stax Music Academy, an appearance by Santa Claus, and a concert featuring holiday music by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra's Big Band at the Soundstage at Graceland. On Friday, November 19 and 20, Graceland will host evening Christmas tours of Graceland Mansion featuring live tour guides sharing stories of spending Christmas with Elvis; and will round out the weekend with Dean Z’s Rockin’ Christmas Show on Saturday, November 20. Dean Z will perform, alongside his high energy 10-piece band and the beautiful Dynamite Singers, singing favorite holiday hits, the best rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly, and swing Christmas classics.

On December 1-20, Graceland will be offering special afternoon Christmas Tours that will feature live tour guides sharing holiday stories throughout Graceland Mansion. In addition, new this year, are the first-ever special Christmas Ultimate VIP Holiday Experience tours nightly from December 1-20. The tours allow guests to explore Graceland decorated for the holidays after-hours, hear stories of what it was like to spend Christmas with the king at Graceland and tour the grounds to see the beautiful lights and up-close looks at the festive lawn decor that was part of Elvis' annual decorating tradition. Each tour is limited to eight guests with an expert guide and will include a holiday photo ops both inside and outside Graceland Mansion. In addition, also available December 1-20, The Guest House at Graceland is offering a special package that includes two adult tickets for the Graceland Christmas Tour, access to Elvis Presley's Memphis Entertainment Complex, a tour of Elvis' planes, a Graceland Christmas ornament and a set of three limited-edition, collectible Graceland Christmas CD greetings.

Allegiant scores big loan to complete its Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbour

Castlelake, L.P. a global alternative investment manager with 16 years of experience investing in asset-rich opportunities, announced today it has provided a loan to Sunseeker, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Allegiant Travel Company, an integrated travel company with the world's leading ultra-low-cost carrier at its core. The loan will be used to fund the construction of Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor, which resumed in August of this year. 

 New Castlelake loan for Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor 

Allegiant began construction of Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor – a first-of-its-kind destination resort in southwest Florida – in March 2019, before pausing due to the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the travel and hospitality industry.

"Castlelake is pleased to provide financing to Sunseeker and strengthen our relationship with Allegiant through this project," said Armin Rothauser, Partner and Head of Lending at Castlelake. "This transaction sits at the intersection of Castlelake's deep real asset expertise, aviation experience and solutions-oriented approach."

Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor is expected to have a significant impact on the local economy, eventually employing about 800 construction workers. Once the resort opens, Sunseeker expects to employ approximately 1,150 people, making it a leading employer in Southwest Florida. The resort will feature more than 500 hotel rooms, more than 180 extended stay suites, 55,000 square-feet of meeting and conference space, 19 restaurants and bars, and retail outlets along a scenic harbor walk.

"Sunseeker will not only be a transformational project for Southwest Florida, but also a tremendous catalyst for Allegiant's continued growth as an integrated travel company," said Allegiant President John Redmond. "This unique resort will bring unprecedented value and opportunity to our emerging leisure travel marketplace."

Allegiant Travel Company is focused on linking travellers in small-to-medium cities to world-class vacation destinations with all-nonstop flights and base airfares less than half the cost of the average domestic roundtrip ticket. The company demonstrated resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the smallest revenue decline of any airline in 2020.

As a top 15 aircraft lessor and more than 16 years of experience investing in, financing and managing aviation assets, Castlelake has a long-standing relationship with Allegiant. Castlelake's lending platform, which provides financial offerings to aviation-related asset owners and buyers, has completed over $2 billion of financings since November 2020. Castlelake also has significant experience structuring and executing land and real estate-centric transactions including acquisition, development & construction (AD&C), land banking, secured debt financing and direct investing.

"Castlelake is a proven, trusted partner with the right expertise to execute on financing the Sunseeker project within its own framework," said Allegiant Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Greg Anderson. "Obtaining this financing affords Allegiant the capital needed to fund the bulk of the remaining cost for the Sunseeker project, in an efficient manner consistent with our fiscal strategy."

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Marcus Hotels & Resorts has been celebrating the news this week that six of its owned and/or managed properties have been recognized as top hotels and resorts by the 2021Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards.

Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel, The Pfister Hotel, Skirvin Hilton, Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker, Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, and Grand Geneva Resort and Spa Recognized by Condé Nast Traveler Readers Among the Best of the Best

Marcus Hotels & Resorts has been celebrating the news this week that six of its owned and/or managed properties have been recognized as top hotels and resorts by the 2021Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards.

The Marcus Hotels & Resorts properties that were recognized by Condé Nast Traveler readers as top hotels and resorts in their respective categories are:

As the first-of-its-kind arts hotel, Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel in Milwaukee was honored as the #5 Top Hotel in the Midwest. This is the second consecutive year that the property, which opened in 2019, has been named a Top Hotel in the Midwest by Condé Nast Traveler readers. The hotel broadly celebrates the arts in its many forms with multiple gallery and exhibition spaces, daily live music and programmed events, and unique culinary experiences awaiting guests inside.

 

Milwaukee’s distinguished luxury hotel, The Pfister Hotel was recognized as the #13 Top Hotel in the Midwest. This is the fifth consecutive year the 127-year-old property has been named a Top Hotel in the Midwest by Condé Nast Traveler readers. This year, The Pfister Hotel was also honored with the coveted AAA Four Diamond Designation for its 45th consecutive year.

 

Skirvin Hilton was named the #15 Top Hotel in the Midwest, marking the second time it has been recognized by Condé Nast Traveler readers. Its rich history in Oklahoma City stretches back to 1911 when it first opened its doors. Guests today can continue to experience the elegance and innovation in the hotel’s luxuriously appointed guest rooms and upscale dining offerings.

 

A Lincoln, Nebraska landmark, Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker was honored as the #18 Top Hotel in the Midwest. This is the first year the property was recognized by Condé Nast Traveler readers. This beautiful historic hotel has been serving Nebraska's capital city for nearly 90 years and offers guests unique experiences with its Artist-in-Residence program and the popular and fun Miller Time Pub.

Hyatt Regency Schaumburg in Schaumburg, Illinois was named the #19 Top Hotel in the Midwest. This is also the first year the property was recognized by Condé Nast Traveler readers. Recently renovated, Hyatt Regency Schaumburg is conveniently located near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and is among many of the area’s most popular attractions and energetic business hubs. The hotel offers many amenities for both business and leisure travelers with state-of-the-art meeting and event spaces as well as contemporary guestrooms.

 

Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin was recognized as the #9 Top Resort in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. This all-seasons premier resort is situated on 1,300 acres in the beautiful woodlands of Lake Geneva and is known for its two championship golf courses in the summer and Mountain Top downhill ski hill in the winter, as well as its full-service WELL Spa & Salon and array of fine dining options. This is the fifth consecutive year this property has been named a Top Resort by Condé Nast Traveler readers.

 

“We are very proud that the discerning readers of Condé Nast Traveler again recognized our properties for being among the very best of the best,” said Michael Evans, president of Marcus Hotels & Resorts. “Year after year, our properties are chosen for Condé Nast Traveler and other honours because of their unique and first-class offerings, our team’s drive to deliver exceptional service, and our proven operational expertise that welcomes guests back again and again. Thanks to the dedication of our team, Marcus Hotels & Resorts’ properties claimed 25 percent of this year’s highly coveted and admired Condé Nast Traveler list of Top Hotels in the Midwest, more than any other owner or manager.”

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