Kasada, an independent real estate private equity platform dedicated to hospitality in Sub-Saharan Africa has announced this week that it acquired the former Crowne Plaza Upper Hill in Nairobi, Kenya.

Kasada, an independent real estate private equity platform dedicated to hospitality in Sub-Saharan Africa has announced this week that it acquired the former Crowne Plaza Upper Hill in Nairobi, Kenya. Having only recently purchased the Umubano Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda, this second East-African purchase reaffirms Kasada’s status as a pan-African hotel owner and investor. With its strategy of acquiring high-quality25 assets across metropolitan hubs in Sub-Saharan Africa, Kasada is now the most active investor with the initial portfolio of hotels doubling within 18 months thanks to a presence in eight countries.

Refurbishment of the 206-key hotel 

will begin before the end of the year

The Crowne Plaza, which opened in 2010, is located in Upper Hill, Nairobi's financial centre and a commercial hub that is home to the headquarters of several local businesses, international institutions and diplomatic delegations. With 206 rooms, a ballroom that can accommodate 300 people, and over 10 meeting rooms with a total capacity of 550 people, the hotel is one of the largest meeting and event spaces in Nairobi. Its prime location and array of amenities make it particularly attractive to local, regional, and international business travellers alike.

Park Hyatt Jakarta, located in the tranquil Menteng area in the heart of Jakarta’s bustling central business district opens for business

Hyatt Hotels have confirmed the opening of Park Hyatt Jakarta, located in the tranquil Menteng area in the heart of Jakarta’s bustling central business district.  

This hotel is said to offer a distinctive collection of culinary, leisure and wellness experiences.  

“With Hyatt hotels operating in Indonesia for over 40 years, we are delighted to share that the Park Hyatt brand has launched in the country, introducing its refined hospitality and personal service to local residents and visitors from near and far,” said David Udell, group president, Asia-Pacific, Hyatt. “As more countries reopen their borders and travel confidence grows, Park Hyatt Jakarta is an exciting addition to our Park Hyatt portfolio, complementing new hotels that have opened in recent years in Auckland, Kyoto, Niseko and Suzhou.”

Park Hyatt Jakarta occupies the top 17 floors of the 37-story Park Tower in the centre of the city’s financial and diplomatic district. The hotel’s surrounding area, Menteng, was originally conceived in the early 20th century as a garden city and is now known for its peaceful tree-lined streets, abundant greenery and elegant heritage architecture. Park Hyatt Jakarta offers easy access to idyllic parks and popular retail and entertainment venues as well as panoramic views of the nearby National Monument Park. The hotel’s location harkens back to the origins of the Park Hyatt brand with its first property overlooking a serene park in Chicago, its proximity to nature reflects how Park Hyatt hotels around the world offer an oasis of calm in the midst of the bustle of the city.

Contemporary Design, with Indonesia at its Core

Accor making major changes to its structure.....

Accor continues to transform and simplify its structure by leveraging its leadership positions in the most buoyant hospitality markets and segments.

 Accor, global hotel operator and leader in Luxury & Lifestyle hospitality, operates a unique portfolio of brands covering all segments, from economy to luxury, in 110 countries. The Group is evolving its structure to capitalize on the transformation undertaken in recent years, consolidate its leadership positions, focus its efforts, strengthen its know-how, accelerate its growth and continue to improve its profitability. As such, Accor will leverage two divisions comprising separate and distinctive expertise with the aim of further strengthening the excellence of each of these business lines, improving their operational and financial performance, offering their owners and guests ever more relevant products and services, and attracting the best talents. From October 1, 2022, Accor will be structured around two dedicated divisions:

* “Economy, Midscale & Premium Division”, comprising notably the Group’s brands ibis, Novotel, Mercure, Swissôtel, Mövenpick and Pullman, covering 4,816 hotels worldwide and 948 new properties in development. This division will incorporate leadership positions in Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, and will be structured around four regional headquarters based in Paris, Sao Paulo, Singapore and Shanghai. It will focus its strategy on accelerating its development notably through franchises, the rejuvenation of its brands and the industrialization of our operating model.

 

* “Luxury & Lifestyle Division”, bringing together Accor’s luxury brands as well as the Group’s lifestyle entity, Ennismore, and covering 488 hotels globally and 266 new properties in development. This division focused on Luxury and Lifestyle will be structured by brand around 4 pillars: Raffles & Orient Express, Fairmont, Sofitel & MGallery, and Ennismore. It will be committed to strengthening the identities of its iconic brands, investing in top talents, selecting the best locations and offering unique and innovative experiences.

Through these two business divisions incorporating growth strategies and trajectories that have been clearly defined and tailored to guest and owner expectations, Accor will offer its partners and investors a clear and transparent model for each of its business lines, which will be a factor in creating value and ramping up the development of its brands and segments.

According to Sébastien Bazin, Accor Chairman and CEO, “Changing our organizational structure is a natural step in the transformation initiated several years ago, which turned Accor into an asset-light group that is more agile and efficient, with a global profile and which has become a key player in Luxury and Lifestyle. By evolving from a generalist to a multi-specialist model, our aim is to further improve Accor’s appeal in the eyes of talents, owners, partners and investors. We capitalize on our leadership positions to accelerate our development, better focus talents and expertise, and improve our performance.”.

This organizational structure is submitted to the Group’s employee representative bodies. 

MCR Acquires the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Downtown Tallahassee

The 4th-largest hotel owner-operator in the U.S. MCR,  purchases the real estate-owned DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel from a special servicer in Florida’s vibrant state capital.

MCR has acquired the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tallahassee, a 17-story, 242-room hotel in Florida’s state capital. The hotel was purchased as a real estate-owned asset from a special servicer and is the company’s seventh hotel in The Sunshine State.

Selected as Florida’s state capital due to its ideal location between Pensacola to the west and Jacksonville to the east, Tallahassee — lovingly known as “Tally” to locals — is a hub for politics, sports and education. In the heart of downtown just two blocks from the State Capitol, the DoubleTree Tallahassee is within five blocks of 30 state agency headquarters, including the Florida Supreme Court and Governor’s Mansion. It’s also less than five minutes from Florida State University and Florida A&M University.

The closest hotel to the State Capitol, the DoubleTree is the perfect gathering place for visitors from both sides of the aisle. If you’re coming to town for the legislative session, take advantage of our complimentary, fast Wi-Fi and expansive guestrooms. Each room is equipped with ample outlets, ergonomic chairs and sleek desks with city views. Prefer to collaborate with colleagues? Book a boardroom (we have eight!).

Tallahassee isn’t just the capital of Florida government, it’s also the capital of Florida football! Bleed garnet and gold with 45,000 Florida State University students at Doak S. Campbell Stadium, where coach Mike Norvell will make his famed game-time calls at seven home matches this season. Be sure to snag a junior suite (big enough for the whole family) for the annual Fresh from Florida Sunshine Showdown on November 25th, when the Seminoles host the University of Florida Gators. Each suite is decked out with a wet bar, mini-refrigerator and a spacious bathroom.

Not a Seminoles fan? Join the 9,600 Florida A&M University attendees to root for the green and orange at nearby Bragg Memorial Stadium.

After a day of cheering, unwind with unrivalled views from the tallest hotel in the city. Cool off with a beer from our on-site restaurant and bar, Jacob’s on the Plaza, then head to the pool deck for a dip. With an average of 237 days of rays per year, it’s no wonder Florida is known as The Sunshine State.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tallahassee is located at 101 South Adams Street and features:

242 guestrooms and suites

Jacob’s on the Plaza Restaurant and Bar

A rooftop bar and lounge with indoor and outdoor seating

An on-site Starbucks offering speciality beverages and bites

A lobby lounge

Free, fast Wi-Fi

A fitness centre

An outdoor pool

A business centre

A three-story parking garage

5,394 square feet of event space across eight meeting rooms

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Planet Hollywood, an Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort, Costa Rica ready for business.

Lights, camera, ACTION! Located at the base of the Papagayo Peninsula in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica, Planet Hollywood, an Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort, offers an upscale all-inclusive vacation experience, surrounded by natural wonders, exotic jungles, and unique experiences to explore. Guests at Planet Hollywood Costa Rica can feel like they are in Isla Nublar, the fictional island that is part of Michael Crichton’s novel Jurassic Park and featured in the movie of the same name.

Costa Rica’s unique rainforest ecosystem surrounds the resort and guests can venture out to visit the largest active volcano in Guanacaste, the Rincon de la Vieja, which stands 6,286 feet tall and 9 miles wide. This is, without a doubt, one of the best national parks in Costa Rica, here you have all the options that you do not have in other volcanoes, such as the Cangreja waterfall, the fumaroles, the mud pots, the underground rivers, as well as the hot springs, and diverse wildlife; the place truly resembles the dinosaurs’ habitat. Guests can also visit the Dino Park Blue River and interact with animatronic dinosaurs and reenact their favourite scenes from Jurassic Park, surrounded by the gorgeous natural wonders of Costa Rica.

In Planet Hollywood you can vacation Like a Star. Families can dine in eight restaurants, enjoy the PUMPED Fitness Center, PH Spa & Beauty Bar ($), and two serene swimming pools for a nice relaxing experience as well as a splash zone for kids. The Resort offers panoramic views of the breathtaking Papagayo Peninsula. Nestled in the skirts of the exotic tropical rainforest, this beachfront resort offers authentic Hollywood memorabilia from the timeless movie Jurassic Park and other blockbusters. Enjoy a night in the resort’s movie theatre and rewatch the classic with your favourite snacks. Take advantage of the local activities and let the resort concierge team organize your ideal vacation in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

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