Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe Launches New “Back-To-School” Program Offering A Bespoke Remote Learning Vacation Experience

This fall, Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe invites guests to get away and combine school, work and play – with private casita “office” spaces; a new Resort “classroom”; and a series of curated experiences, fun programs and creative learning opportunities designed to engage kids and make it easy for parents to remote school while also enjoying vacation time.

Set amid 57 sprawling acres (23 hectares) in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountains just outside Santa Fe, Four Seasons Rancho Encantado is a luxury boutique retreat steeped in distinct adventure, culture, culinary and wellness experiences.

The Resort’s hidden location, surrounded by the outdoors, naturally spacious layout and private stand-alone casita accommodations offer an exclusive escape tailor-made for remote learning and working - coupled with fresh air, inspiring views and a relaxing, personalised home-away-from-home experience in a safe, comfortable environment. It’s back to school, Four Seasons Rancho Encantado-style.

New program highlights include:

eading Wellbeing Brand Exhale Teams up With Amazon for the Launch of Amazon Halo

This week the Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced a new collaboration between Hyatt’s Exhale brand and Amazon Halo, a health and wellness membership that uses technology to provide personal wellness insights and offers ways to improve users’ everyday health. Powered by a mobile app and accompanying wristband, the newly launched Amazon Halo service combines science-backed tools and Exhale’s streaming video platform, Exhale On Demand, to help users build healthier habits for life. Available for early access now, the Amazon Halo service gives users and Exhale members greater accessibility to Exhale On Demand’s fitness programs.

Exhale On Demand fitness-focused Labs offered on Amazon Halo are one-to-four-week trackable challenges—like a four-week event prep bootcamp ahead of a special occasion or a three-week challenge focused on core work. The Exhale On Demand labs in Amazon Halo help users build healthier habits and discover the fitness programs that work best for them. At launch, Amazon Halo members can experiment with and have access to seven Exhale On Demand fitness programs curated with specific goals, fitness levels and schedules in mind. In addition, Exhale On Demand users can receive highly accurate data via the Amazon Halo Band, a wrist band built to facilitate the insights in the Amazon Halo app.

BOUNTE Advances Hotels' Commitment to Cleanliness with a Low-Touch Lost and Found System Using AI to Identify and Return Items

BOUNTE Advances Hotels' Commitment to Cleanliness with a Low-Touch Lost and Found System Using AI to Identify and Return Items

BOUNTE Protect™ tracks lost property with a free smartphone app and stores items in a sealed BOUNTE bag for improved hygiene and security

BOUNTE, Inc., a leader in innovative lost and found technologies, today launched BOUNTE Protect™ for hotels. Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), the cloud-based platform transforms a venue’s inefficient lost and found into a high-tech solution that takes just seconds, minimizes touches and greatly enhances a guest’s experience when lost items are found and returned.

Airbus delivered 39 aircraft in August

THE MONTH IN REVIEW: AUGUST 2020   

Airbus’ 2020 gross orders by August 31st totalled 370 aircraft with net orders of 303,  after the year’s cancellations. The company registered 1 new order for an ACJ320neo and no cancellations in August. 

In August, Airbus delivered a total of 39 aircraft spread out between  35 A320 Family aircraft including the first A321neo to Gulf Air, two A330 including the first A330-900 to Portuguese carrier Orbest and two A350. 

Airbus’ backlog of aircraft remaining to be delivered as of August 31st stood at 7,501 comprising  524 A220s, 6,091 A320 Family aircraft (including 6,034 A320neo Family), 319 A330s (including 285 A330neo Family), 558 A350 XWBs and nine A380s.

LunaJets sees a perfect storm for the private jet industry

The industry enters a perfect storm.

The private jet market is facing unprecedented challenges as the COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated an already fragile industry. The private jet charter market is down 33.8% in volume year-to-date and even lower in revenue, with Europe doing worse than America. All charter market segments are impacted but the most affected are the long trans-continental and corporate charter flights. The current wave of new quarantine measures and travel restrictions will have an immediate and devastating effect on the market, predicts LunaJets.

The Perfect Storm

"Market summer figures are misleading! The industry benefited from commercial airlines dislocation, with a spike of 'leisure' clients and first-time private jet flyers, but September will be a back-to-reality moment," predicts Alain Leboursier, Managing Director at LunaJets.

"Corporate flight demand, representing 70% of our business from September to Christmas, is weak despite really low rates on same-day returns or trans-Atlantic flights," notes Leboursier. "It's a perfect storm situation considering the uncertainty caused by quarantines, lockdowns, weak corporate demand, structural overcapacity and the financial leverage of this industry. Some jet operators or competitors seem to live in Cloud-Cuckoo-Land, publishing over-optimistic figures. Private Aviation has a long track record of frauds, failures and bankruptcies, among manufacturers, operators and charter brokers. The wake-up call will be painful, the industry is much more fragile than during the past crisis."

Hyatt Announces Plans for Thompson Monterrey

 Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced plans for Thompson Monterrey, the first Thompson hotel in Mexico’s state of Nuevo León. The 150-room lifestyle hotel is expected to open in 2022 and will mark the fourth Thompson-branded property in Mexico.

“Thompson Monterrey comes at a time of significant growth for the Thompson Hotels brand and will represent the brand’s entry into a key new market,” said Alfredo Reynoso, director of  development, Mexico, Hyatt. “The Thompson brand aligns very well with Monterrey’s position as a business and entertainment destination, and we look forward to introducing a new lifestyle offering that will provide experiences that celebrate its destination in a sophisticated way for guests and locals alike.”  

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  Exterior of Thompson Monterrey; Credit: DUDA | PAINE Architects

Developed by Visa Desarrollos and Grow2, Thompson Monterrey will be located in the San Pedro Garza García, a contemporary financial and commercial area of Monterrey in the state of Nuevo León. Located near headquarters for many national and multinational companies and university campuses, the hotel will be part of Torre IKON, a new-build mixed-use complex with aproximately 215,000 square feet (20,000 square meters) of office space. Thompson Monterrey will occupy a portion of the 31-floor tower designed by Duda Paine Architects, which is set to be one of the most iconic high-rise buildings in the San Pedro Garza García.    

Hyatt Hāna-Maui Resort to reopen on 1st October

                                                               

                                                              Hyatt Hotels Corporation confirmed recently that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Mani Brothers Real Estate Group, a leading Southern California based full-service commercial property firm that owns and operates one-of-a-kind landmark properties, to rebrand the 75-room Travaasa Hāna into Hāna-Maui Resort, under the Destination Hotels brand. Offering a diverse collection of independent hotels, resorts and residences across North America, Destination Hotels properties are individual at heart yet connected by a commitment to embody the true spirit of each location.

“Hyatt is excited to welcome Hāna-Maui Resort to the Destination Hotels brand and Hyatt’s robust Hawaii portfolio,” said Katie Johnson, director of global independent brands for Hyatt. “With more than 40 years of operations in Hawaii, we are pleased to expand our footprint on the beautiful island of Maui. We appreciate all the Hāna destination has to offer and look forward to sharing its rich local culture with guests while providing immersive discoveries.”

The Hyatt Regency Sofia is now open.........

The first Hyatt-branded hotel in Bulgaria, the Hyatt Regency Sofia has now officially opened, creating a buzz of excitement in the local business community.  The 183-room hotel is ideally located in the heart of the capital on Vasil Levski Square and within walking distance of Sofia’s major tourist attractions and government institutions. The opening of the hotel marks an important milestone for Hyatt, thoughtfully growing its brand presence in Southeast Europe.

The Hyatt Regency brand is designed for productivity and stress-free stays by offering seamless and personalized, high-touch experiences. The full range of services and amenities include memorable culinary experiences, flexible spaces to work, collaborate or relax and expansive technology-enabled facilities for meetings and events, along with expert planners who anticipate every detail.

“We are thrilled to announce the opening of the very first Hyatt hotel in the beautiful city of Sofia,” said Laurent Schauder, general manager of Hyatt Regency Sofia. “The hotel’s central location is perfect for business and leisure travelers alike to enjoy this vibrant city, its vivid culture and rich history.”

Conrad Punta de Mita Officially Opens.................The stylish new property marks Hilton’s first Conrad brand resort in Mexico

Mexico’s coveted Riviera Nayarit welcomes a bright new era in hospitality with today’s official opening of Conrad Punta de Mita – Hilton’s first-ever Conrad brand resort in Mexico, and the second Conrad brand property in the country. Situated beside the sparkling blue waters of the Pacific on a two-mile-long beach, the highly anticipated opening of the 324-room property invites travellers to discover contemporary luxury.

“The opening of Conrad Punta de Mita marks an important milestone for Hilton, as we bring Conrad-level style, service and experiences to the shores of Riviera Nayarit,” said Jorge Giannattasio, Hilton’s senior vice president and head of operations, Caribbean & Latin America. “As one of Mexico’s most sought-after destinations, Punta de Mita is the perfect location for the newest addition to our luxury portfolio in the region – and we can’t wait for our guests to discover the inspiring experiences that await at Conrad Punta de Mita.” 

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.