Elvis Presley’s Graceland® has announced that the Graceland Performing Arts Camp will return this year

Elvis Presley’s Graceland® has announced that the Graceland Performing Arts Camp will return for its fourth year in 2022 on June 28 to July 3. The Graceland Performing Arts Camp is an immersive theater arts and music experience for kids aged 6 to 17 where they are invited to explore their creativity in acting, singing, and dancing during workshops led by local and Broadway professionals. Over five days of activities, the campers develop a performance showcase that they present on stage at The Guest House Theater for family and friends on Saturday night.

The Graceland Performing Arts Camp is designed as a vacation experience for the entire family. While campers are having fun during the day, parents and other family members can enjoy Graceland activities, Memphis attraction tours, and poolside relaxation at the Guest House, reuniting with their camper in the evening for family dinners and activities.

Actor, voiceover artist, and acting coach Katelyn Nichols will return as Camp Director again this year. Nichols graduated magna cum laude from the University of Memphis, where she earned a BFA in Theater Performance. Now based in New York City, she coaches kids and teens through K. Nichols Studio and regularly records for TV and radio. Nichols has always been passionate about bringing arts education to kids and teens. She worked for several years with young clients such as the Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, and Jordin Sparks, as well as with talent agencies and casting offices in New York and Los Angeles.

Hilton Celebrates Growth and Development Milestones as Company Prepares for a New, Reinvigorated Era of Travel

Hospitality leader expanded its footprint, opening more than one hotel a day, and introduced new brands in coveted destinations during a year of constant change

Well-positioned to emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever, Hilton delivered a record year of development achievements. Already one of the world’s largest hotel companies, Hilton opened 414 properties, adding more than 67,100 rooms to its system, further emphasizing the scale, presence and leading brands of the company’s global portfolio. 

“After a year of recovery and growth, it has been incredible to witness the resiliency of the travel industry and our team’s ability to embrace change while serving more guests in more hotels around the world,” said Chris Nassetta, President and CEO, Hilton. “We believe the desire to travel, experience new cultures and connect with others is core to the human experience. I can speak for all of us at Hilton when I say we’re looking forward to welcoming our guests and helping them make new memories in 2022.”

Global development efforts have continued to show strong performance through the pandemic. Hilton ended 2021 with more than 6,800 hotels across 18 brands in six continents, with robust net unit growth of 5.6%. The company’s development pipeline includes nearly 2,670 hotels representing approximately 408,000 rooms, nearly half of which are under construction. 

“Hilton’s development continues to be a key performance indicator of how well-positioned we are for the long-term,” said Kevin Jacobs, CFO and president, global development, Hilton. “Hotel owners choose to work with us because of our premium commercial performance. With our capital light business model, we strive to maximize net unit growth, while continuing to deliver value for all our stakeholders.”

Celebrating A Year of Market and Category Milestones

Two new hotels in London for Hyatt.....

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has entered into management agreements with Stratford City Hotels Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of M&L Hospitality, for Hyatt Regency London Stratford and Hyatt House London Stratford. The 225-room Hyatt Regency London Stratford and the 127-room Hyatt House London Stratford are expected to open in Q2 2022 following an extensive refurbishment. Both hotels will be conveniently located within one of Europe’s largest urban shopping and entertainment complexes, Westfield Stratford City, and a short walk to Stratford Station.

“The addition of these two hotels will be another exciting step in growing Hyatt’s brand presence in the United Kingdom and in creating a network of hotels across the key commercial and leisure markets in the country,” said Felicity Black Roberts, vice president of development Europe, Hyatt. “We worked closely with M&L Hospitality to choose the right brands for the location and are pleased to be continuing our relationship with them following the successful openings of Hyatt Regency Manchester and Hyatt House Manchester in 2019.”

Designed with productivity in mind, Hyatt Regency London Stratford will offer business and leisure travellers alike a stress-free and seamless environment to stay connected. Guests can enjoy 6,673 square feet (628 square meters) of meeting space, along with a spacious restaurant, bar and an open-air terrace. Hyatt House London Stratford will provide guests with modern, apartment-style suites with fully equipped kitchens and flexible workspaces, designed to make them feel at home, especially during extended stays.

The hotels are located close to Stratford Station, one of the UK’s busiest train stations, giving guests swift access to Central London in only seven minutes. Stratford International Station connects guests to St Pancras International Station and transfers to the Eurostar train, which provides services to Paris, Brussels, Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

The properties will also be easily accessible to Heathrow International Airport via the new Queen Elizabeth Crossrail line due to open mid-2022, which will offer services to Stratford in approximately 45 minutes. Furthermore, London City Airport is only 20 minutes from Stratford on the Docklands Light Railway, making it an ideal location for business and leisure guests.

Guests can enjoy easy access to local events at the nearby O2 and ExCel London convention centre, home to many concerts, exhibitions, and corporate events. The burgeoning Stratford City is also fast becoming the most exciting cultural region in the UK with major new developments at Queen Elizabeth Park currently underway including the proposed new future home of BBC studios, along with the exciting new museum project, V&A East. Further, nearby universities include the new world-class East campus of the University College of London and the new College of Fashion.

“We are pleased to be able to continue our work with Hyatt in the United Kingdom,” said Neil Maxwell, chief executive officer of M&L Hospitality. “Our strategy focuses on identifying key gateway cities with strong economic growth. Stratford is experiencing a real boom and our plans to introduce these Hyatt House and Hyatt Regency hotels to London will capitalize on this.”

The announcement of Hyatt Regency London Stratford and Hyatt House London Stratford marks Hyatt’s continued growth in the UK market. The hotels will join M&L Hospitality’s existing Hyatt properties including Hyatt Regency Manchester and Hyatt House Manchester, Hyatt Place London Heathrow Airport. Other Hyatt properties in the UK include Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, Hyatt Regency Birmingham, Great Scotland Yard Hotel, Andaz London Liverpool Street, Hyatt Place West London Hayes, Hyatt Centric Cambridge and Hyatt Place London City East.

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Avenir Hospitality Acquires 4 Boutique Hotels in Cannon Beach and Partners with Life House for Management

Avenir Hospitality has announced its acquisition of the Cannon Beach Hotel Collection, a portfolio of 4 boutique hotels located in Cannon Beach, Oregon. Avenir has partnered with New York-based boutique hotel operator Life House to manage the portfolio, which represents the company’s first properties in the Pacific Northwest.

Named one of National Geographic's 100 Most Beautiful Places and one of its 21 Best Beaches in the World, Cannon Beach is renowned for its stunning natural beauty which includes wide sandy shores, stunning views of Haystack Rock–a 235 ft sea stack home to colorful tidepools and diverse wildlife–and neighbouring state parks that harbour ancient pine forests and dramatic coastline views. These remarkable natural areas blend magically with the charming city of Cannon Beach, which features a picturesque, walkable downtown with numerous galleries, restaurants, and boutiques. Visitors from Portland, Seattle, and beyond return to Cannon Beach time and time again to savor the culinary bounty of the Pacific Northwest, enjoy one of the top art towns in America and explore the outdoors.

“We were drawn to Cannon Beach’s natural beauty, boutique charm and strong market dynamics, which are key elements in our thesis of investing in boutique assets in distinct leisure markets. We are honored for the opportunity to steward these beloved properties and further their legacy in the Cannon Beach Hotel Collection,” said Daniel Lima, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Avenir. “We’re very excited about the future of these properties and this segment of the hospitality industry, as consumers increasingly gravitate towards unique and authentic experiences. We look forward to exploring opportunities to grow our portfolio nearby and in similar markets,” added Kevin Fleming, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Avenir.

The award-winning Cannon Beach Hotel Collection encompasses 4 charming properties all steps from the sand, and located in midtown Cannon Beach, the portfolio sits between the center of downtown and the iconic Haystack Rock. At the heart of the collection is the Cannon Beach Hotel, a historic property with a storied past dating back to 1914. Featuring a cozy lobby and adjacent eatery soon to be reopened, the Cannon Beach Hotel serves as the check-in for the broader collection, which spans The Courtyard, McBee Cottages and the Hearthstone Inn. Each outpost in the collection features a unique vibe and character, while all offering an authentic experience for guests.

“We are thrilled to formally announce our entrance into the Pacific Northwest with the Cannon Beach Hotel Collection, which we have been proudly operating since the summer,” said Bryan Dunn, Managing Director at Life House. “We and our partners are actively seeking opportunities to expand throughout the region, with a core focus on independent hotels in drive-to leisure markets”.

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Hyatt Hotels are celebrating the opening of Hyatt Centric Jumeirah Dubai

Hyatt Hotels are celebrating the opening of Hyatt Centric Jumeirah Dubai, marking the lifestyle brand’s debut in the Middle East. The seven-story property is set to become a social hub in the La Mer district, featuring 173 sophisticated guestrooms, including 27 spacious deluxe rooms and suites, designed to reflect the city through the playful juxtaposition of colours, textures and curated curiosities.

Nestled in the heart of Dubai and bringing in a fresh take on the modern hospitality sector, Hyatt Centric Jumeirah Dubai serves as an ideal launchpad for exploration for those looking to discover the city’s local hot spots and hidden gems. Conveniently located between old and new Dubai, guests have the opportunity to experience nearby attractions including Laguna Waterpark, the La Mer beachfront shopping and dining district, Burj Khalifa, and Dubai Mall. For those seeking authentic, historical experiences, the nearby neighbourhoods of Satwa, Bur Dubai and Al Fahidi are home to traditional Arab marketplaces, known as souks, and the Etihad Museum.

“Surrounded by the ocean with year-round sunshine and a stunning aesthetic, we are proud to introduce the 10th Hyatt branded hotel in Dubai and to bring the first Hyatt Centric hotel into the UAE,” said Britta Leick-Milde, hotel manager of Hyatt Centric Jumeirah Dubai. “With stunning views of the entire Dubai skyline, Hyatt Centric Jumeirah Dubai offers adventure-seeking travellers a window to the destination through a playful interpretation of local culture, art, and points of interest.”