Marriott International and Quintessentially Unveil a Collection of Exclusive Luxury Road Trips

Marriott International, through its portfolio of luxury brands including The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, The Luxury Collection, EDITION and W Hotels, is delighted to unveil a collection of one-of-a-kind adventures curated in partnership with Quintessentially, the world’s leading luxury concierge company. Available to book now, global travelers will have access to several distinct itineraries and immersive experiences available across Marriott International’s robust portfolio of luxury brand properties in the United States and Europe.

“During this time we know that many of our guests are choosing to travel in different ways. They might be staying closer to home, or seeking the personal space that driving between destinations affords,” said Tina Edmundson, Global Brand and Marketing Officer and Luxury Portfolio Leader, Marriott International. “With this series of exclusive road trips, and with the expertise of Quintessentially, we are thrilled to be able to offer our guests access to unparalleled, luxury focused experiences that meet the moment.”

Whether you are traveling to Lake Tahoe, Bal Harbour or Venice, the bespoke itineraries promise an unforgettable escape marked by luxurious accommodations, flawless service, captivating landscapes and scenery, exceptional culinary offerings and outdoor adventures. Curated by Quintessentially, and available starting at $15,000 USD for two guests, each trip will include an unrivaled selection of diversified, high-end experiences that are unique to the destination. Guests can enjoy a champagne toast in a private seaplane overlooking the San Francisco sunset, mountain biking with a local professional biker in Santa Barbara, surfing lessons with a world surfing competitor in Half Moon Bay, a private tour of the exclusive Palazzo Corsini or Sistine Chapel in Rome, and more. Travelers will also enjoy the option to drive in style with access to vintage cars, such as a 1960s Ford Mustang Convertible.

Hospitality and Leisure bosses look to ’Winter of Content’ after uncertain summer

• Just 6% of hospitality and leisure sector leaders are confident about growth this Summer, according to new research from Barclays Corporate Banking
• Businesses are predicting 41% year-on-year decline in sales, with two fifths (39%) saying they’ve been ‘kept afloat’ by VAT cut to 5%
• Confidence rockets to 83% in Winter 2020/21
• Industry leaders are innovating to open up new revenue streams and prepare for the long-term      

As hospitality and leisure businesses prepare for the August Bank Holiday, research from Barclays Corporate Banking reveals just 6% of businesses in the sector are confident of growth across the Summer.

The significant challenges currently facing the industry are underscored in a new Barclays study¹ of over 300 senior hospitality and leisure executives. On average, businesses predict their earnings will fall by 41% year-on-year when comparing 2020 to 2019, and nearly two fifths (39%) say they’ve been ‘kept afloat’ by the VAT cut to 5% - a figure that peaks at 55% for cafés. In addition, 40% of hospitality and leisure leaders say the VAT reduction has been a ‘lifeline’ for the sector.

And despite the ‘staycation summer’ providing a noticeable boost in earnings for over three quarters (76%) of the businesses surveyed, it’s not until the end of the year that confidence reaches substantial levels. Only three in ten businesses (30%) anticipate growth in the Autumn, but over four fifths (83%) think they’ll grow in Winter 2020/21.

First Radisson Blu serviced apartments in Islamabad, Pakistan

Radisson Hotel Group has announced the signing of the Radisson Blu Serviced Apartments, Islamabad in Pakistan, the first internationally branded serviced apartments in the country. This marks the group’s second hotel in Pakistan, accelerating its ambition to have 10 hotels and 2,000 rooms in operation and under development across the country by 2025. Scheduled to open by Q2 2023, this addition brings the group’s South Asia portfolio to over 160 hotels in operation and under development.

Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, is located on Potohar Plateau in the northwest of the country and is Pakistan’s most diverse metropolis, renowned for embracing modern ideas while remaining true to its rich cultural heritage. The city is rich in historical sights, expansive green spaces, fascinating museum and impressive monuments such as the Faisal Mosque, Islamabad’s most iconic and instantly recognisable landmark.

#SCHOOLFROMANYWHERE with Club Wyndham’s ‘Back to School, Back to Your Bucket List’ Vacation Package

Nation’s largest vacation ownership club encourages travellers to make the most of remote schooling by exploring new destinations near and far with special travel deals and in-suite virtual learning essentials

While many adults have been able to #WorkFromAnywhere in the pandemic era, this fall – for the first time – many kids can “school from anywhere” with the rise of virtual learning in many communities across the U.S. Club Wyndham, the nation’s largest vacation ownership club, urges members to “Live Their Bucket List”, inviting families to take this once in a lifetime opportunity to check off their bucket lists while distance learning from new destinations with its “Back to School, Back to Your Bucket List” vacation package.

From August 24 to October 31, 2020, families that book stays between September 14 and December 18, 2020, can save up to 30% to stay at all-suite Club Wyndham resorts located in drive-to, family-friendly destinations throughout the U.S. that offer outdoor adventure or historical sights when the school day’s over, including:

Club Wyndham Bentley Brook (Hancock, MA)

Club Wyndham Kingsgate (Williamsburg, VA)

Club Wyndham Park City (Park City, UT)

Club Wyndham Branson at The Meadows (Branson, MO)

Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort (Orlando, FL)

IHG continues to expand Holiday Inn portfolio with a signing in India

IHG continues to expand Holiday Inn portfolio with a signing in India

InterContinental Hotels Group® (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed a management agreement with Riteway and Medha Projects to bring a Holiday Inn Resort to the state of Karnataka. Offering 126 well-appointed rooms, Holiday Inn Resort Sakleshpur Western Ghats is expected to open its doors to guests in Q1 2023.

Underscoring industry confidence despite challenging times, this is the second signing announced by IHG in India in last three months.

Located on the Western Ghats mountain range, in the state of Karnataka, Sakleshpur is in close proximity to Bengaluru, and is a great destination for leisure travellers looking to spend quality time amidst nature or explore various historic monuments and sites the city has to offer.

Located 6 kilometres from the main Bengaluru and Mangalore highway, on opening, Holiday Inn Resort Sakleshpur Western Ghats will offer varied dining options to guests with four F&B outlets, including an All-Day Dining, a bar, a speciality restaurant and a lobby lounge. The hotel will also feature 518 sqm of meetings space across three venues, including a 359 sqm ballroom well suited for various MICE events. The resort will feature a pool, a fitness centre and a spa for guests to relax and rejuvenate. For travellers driving down from the nearby cities, Holiday Inn Resort Sakleshpur Western Ghats will feature ample parking space. Additionally, positioned as a complete destination on its own, the resort will house a retail outlet, an indoor recreation centre and an outdoor recreation facility making it a perfect destination for vacationers or guests on corporate retreats.

Radisson Rewards extends pause on points expiry dates.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 situation and the many challenges it has caused regular travellers,  Radisson Rewards has decided to extend the benefits extension regarding points, the group has confirmed this week.

Point expiration suspension:
Radisson has extended the pause on the expiration of Radisson Rewards points. Any points that were set to expire between March 1, 2020, and March 30, 2021, will now expire on March 31, 2021, if the account remains inactive.

Elite status extension:
Radisson has extended members 2020 status – whether it’s Silver, Gold or Platinum - through February 2022, for those whose status would have expired in February 2021. This means you will continue to enjoy all the great Silver, Gold or Platinum member benefits you have access to today.

Elite earning roll over:
All eligible nights and stays earned in 2020 will roll over to 2021 and be applied toward maintaining or increasing your Elite status in 2022.



Radisson Hotels Homepage UK

Hotel JAL City Fukuoka Tenjin to open in 2021

Okura Nikko Hotel Management Co. will open Hotel JAL City Fukuoka Tenjin in 2021, the firm has announced this week.  The property will be located in the central Tenjin district of Fukuoka – one of Japan’s largest and busiest cities, located strategically close to the Asian mainland and is set to be complete it by January 2021.

Based on Hotel JAL City's brand concept “smart simplicity”, the new hotel will offer a smart and simple stay experience, providing check-in and check-out and room key functionality by means of guests’ smartphones. It will also address customer needs with a wide range of tailored services. The property will offer 280 guest rooms ranging from 25 square meters in size as well as all-day dining facilities.

Toshihiro Ogita, President, Okura Nikko Hotel Management Co., Ltd., commented, “We are very pleased to be opening the third property of Okura Nikko Hotels in Fukuoka, a vibrant city that has become a gateway between Japan and Asia. We are confident that with our three hotel groups—Okura Hotels & Resorts, Nikko Hotels International and Hotel JAL City—we will be able to match all guests’ requirements in Fukuoka.”